Mini review of synthesis strategies of silver nanowires and their applications

Abstract

Ag nanowires, possessing a thickness of tens of nanometers and a length of up to a few hundred microns, have attracted considerable attention for application in various fields owing to their unique physical, chemical, optical, and mechanical properties, which outperform those of their bulk counterparts. Over the last two decades, various fabrication technologies have been developed to tune dimensions and final properties of Ag nanowires for specific target applications. Significant advancements in synthesis technology have enabled the development of state-of-the-art devices based on Ag nanowires, including flexible displays, energy harvesting/storage systems, and biomedical sensors. Herein, various fabrication methods of Ag nanowires are reviewed to provide an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of Ag nanowire synthesis and related underlying issues. Further, various applications of Ag nanowires are presented, focusing on the most promising areas for future development, such as catalysis, microelectronics, solar cells, and biosensors.