Facile synthesis of Ag@SiO2 core–shell nanowires on large scale

Abstract

One dimensional silver nanowires including core-shell nanostructures have attracted extensive attention for important application in catalysis, electronics, photonics, and information storage. Here, we first report a facile solution process for fabrication of Ag/SiO 2 core-shell nanowires. The phase and size of the samples were investigated by X-ray power diffraction analyses, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy; respectively. The Ag/SiO 2 core-shell nanowires are with 200-300 nm in diameter, tens of micrometers in length and several nanometers for the shell thickness. The detailed reaction and shape evolution process of core-shell structures have been studied. This facile solution approach would be extended to produce new hybrid materials with potential applications.