Polyol synthesis of Ag nanowires and biocidal activity of the obtained product

Silver nanowires were prepared by the polyol process with ethylene glycol as a solvent and reducing agent, silver nitrate as a silver source, polyvinylpyrrolidone as a growth-directing agent, stabilizer and agglomeration prevention agent, and copper chloride as a growth control agent. The product was characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The biocidal activity of silver nanowires was investigated using the disc diffusion method on the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that, in addition to silver nanowires, the product also contains quasi-spherical silver nanoparticles and some silver chloride. Based on the results of UV–Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, it was estimated that the diameter of the nanowires is 200–300 nm. Nanowires have shown weak bactericidal and good fungicidal activity. Silver nanowires showed particularly good activity in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans.