A Novel Discovery of Growth Process for Ag Nanowires and Plausible Mechanism

Figure 7

Schematic illustrations of proposed growth mechanisms of the synthesized silver nanowires. (a) Complexation of Ag ions with PVP chains. (b) Nucleation for 1D structures and particles. (c) Formation of silver nanowires and nanoparticle. (d) Nanoparticles assembly directed by the nanowires. (e) Dissolution of silver nanoparticles. (f) Formation of thicker silver nanowires at the expense of the silver nanoparticle (silver nanoparticles appear again due to the secondary nucleation and growth).