Nanowire preparation methods, compositions, and articles

Abstract

Methods of producing metal nanowires employing tubular continuous-flow reactors and their products are described and claimed. Such methods can provide superior nanowire uniformity without agglomeration. Such nanowires are useful for electronic applications.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 feeding at least one first composition comprising at least one reducible metal ion and at least one protecting agent to the contents of at least one continuous-flow reactor comprising at least one tubular reactor;   heating the at least one first composition prior to reducing the at least one reducible metal ion to at least one metal nanowire; and   withdrawing at least one second composition comprising the at least one metal nanowire from the contents of the at least one continuous-flow reactor.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the withdrawing of the at least one second composition occurs before at least some of the feeding of the at least one first composition. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the withdrawing of the at least one second composition occurs simultaneously with at least some of the feeding of the at least one first composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one continuous-flow reactor consists essentially of the at least one tubular reactor. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first composition further comprises at least one polyol. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first reducible metal ion comprises at least one coinage metal ion or at least one ion from IUPAC Group 11. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduction is performed in the presence of at least one second ion or atom comprising at least one ion or atom from IUPAC Group 8 or at least one ion or atom from IUPAC Group 14. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the reduction is performed in the presence of at least one halide ion. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal nanowire comprises a length of at least about 10 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The metal nanowire produced according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protecting agent comprises at least one polar polymer or at least one polar copolymer. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reducible metal ion comprises at least one silver ion. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one second ion or atom comprises at least one tin ion or atom. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising heating the at least one first composition, wherein at least a portion of the heating the at least one first composition occurs simultaneously with the reducing the at least one first reducible metal ion.