Silver Nanowire Synthesis in a Continuous Millifluidic Reactor

A millifluidic polyol process was used to produce high aspect ratio silver nanowires (AgNWs) with high selectivity. For comparison, AgNWs were synthesized in both a batch reactor and a continuous millifluidic reactor. The wires were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The effect of temperature was investigated to optimize morphology and selectivity. High selectivity of very long and thin AgNWs was obtained in the millifluidic reactor. In comparison with the batch reactor, superior selectivity and aspect ratios were obtained in the millifluidic reactor, and a lower operating temperature could be used. The effect of residence time ( flow rate) on the diameter and length of the synthesized AgNWs was investigated. Finally, Reynolds and Peclet number were calculated to investigate the silver nanostructures flow behavior during the course of synthesis. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.