Synthesis of AgNWs Using High Molecular Weight PVP As a Capping Agent and Their Application in Conductive Thin Films

High molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and seeding conditions are considered to have important roles in the synthesis of AgNWs. In this work, we report a versatile synthesis of AgNWs in a salt-free environment and under Ar inert atmosphere using high molecular weight PVP and seeding step during the synthetic process. The high molecular weight PVP was found to efficiently promote the preparation of AgNWs via supporting the proper growth control of AgNWs on {111} facets and selective growth on {100} facets. The seeding step facilitates the formation of seeds such as multiple twinned nanoparticles (MTPs) and single crystal seeds, which promoted the feasible formation of AgNWs. The shape and size of the synthesized AgNWs were characterized by SEM and TEM. The crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNWs was characterized by HRTEM, SAED and XRD, and their LSPR peaks were confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The conductive properties of the synthesized AgNWs were determined by preparing their thin conductive film on a PET substrate. The prepared AgNWs thin films exhibited good sheet resistance.