Silver nanostructure dependence on the stirring-time in a high-yield polyol synthesis using a short-chain PVP

This paper describes the size and shape evolution of silver nanostructures synthesized by a typical-polyol method that yields high nanowire content using a short-chain (MW=40,000) polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, were used to characterize the nanostructures synthetized in this work. It was found that the morphology of silver nanostructures changes as a function of the stirring time of the silver precursor salt (silver nitrate, AgNO3) before the addition of the capping agent (PVP). Results showed that after 60 min of stirring, the reaction yields silver nanowires (~99%).