Synthesis of Ag and Cu Nanowires and Deposition of Nanowires Thin Films on to Various Substrates

Abstract

Silver and copper nanowires have novel applications because of their unique geometry and physical properties including electrical, optical, thermal and mechanical properties. They are one dimensional metallic structure. These wires have capability to flow ions or electrons in specific directions which is a beneficial characteristic in nanotechnology. Besides efficient performance copper nanowires have limitations including aggregation and oxidation because of their natural characteristics. Silver nanowires also have some limitations for example preservation of morphology in synthesis, feasibility of mass production, environmental stability and thermal stability. In this study, silver and copper nanowires were synthesized through polyol method. FTIR results confirm that Ethylene glycol and Polyvinylpyrrolidone removed in silver and copper nanowires. Liquid conductivity test conforms the conductivity of these materials. The conductivity of silver nanowires reported 716μs/cm and copper nanowires was 387μs/cm. UV visible spectroscopy shows maximum intensity of all silver nanowires are 430nm which matches the adsorption standard of silver, XRD results conform the crystalline structure of both inks and peaks trend matches the standards of silver and copper. and SEM conforms the presence of silver and copper nanowires. Silver nanowires has an average diameter 0.15μm and average length 2.3μm. Copper nanowires has an average diameter 0.07μm and average length 1.1μm, Observed the photocatalytic degradation of silver and copper nanowires using Methylene blue and Congo red dye stock solution respectively. Methylene blue shows 60% degradation and Congo red shows 39% degradation in UV-visible region.