Facile fabrication of Ag nanowires for capacitive flexible pressure sensors by liquid polyol reduction method

The Ag nanowires (AgNWs) were prepared by improved liquid polyol reduction method, and the AgNWs were successfully applied to the capacitive flexible pressure sensors. Firstly, the one-dimensional radial growth conditions of AgNWs were optimized from four aspects of the molecular weight of the protective agent polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), the molar ratio of AgNO₃ and PVP, the anion concentration of the metal salt and the reaction temperature. The effect of polymerization degree of protective agent on one-dimensional radial growth of AgNWs was investigated by using three kinds of protective agents PVP-K-30, PVP-K-60 and PVP-K-90. Three different AgNO₃ and PVP molar ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 1:9 were designed, and the effects of PVP adsorption capacity on one-dimensional radial growth of AgNWs were investigated. Three concentrations of 0 mM NaCl, 16 mM NaCl and 32 mM NaCl were designed to study the effects of anion concentration of the metal salt on the nucleation and etching of silver nanoparticles. The effects of reaction temperature on the growth of AgNWs were studied at three different temperatures of 140 °C, 160 °C and 180 °C, and appropriate temperature design was proposed. In this experiment, the products of AgNWs prepared under various conditions were analyzed by UV-vis Spectrum and SEM, and the experimental conditions were optimized from the synthesis mechanism and reaction conditions.