Polyol-Synthesized silver nanowires: Strategies, structure-property control, and emerging applications

Silver nanowires (AgNWs) have emerged as one of the most promising 1D nanostructures for next-generation transparent conductive films (TCFs) due to their exceptional electrical conductivity, optical transparency, mechanical flexibility, and chemical stability. Their unique combination of properties positions them as viable alternatives to brittle and costly indium tin oxide (ITO) for applications spanning solar cells, touch screens, flexible displays, transparent heaters, and electromagnetic shielding. This review provides a systematic examination of AgNWs synthesis strategies, with emphasis on the polyol method owing to its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and tunable control over nanowire morphology. The nucleation and growth mechanisms, including the roles of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) capping, halide-mediated control, oxidative etching, and kinetic–thermodynamic interplay, are analyzed in detail. Critical process parameters, such as PVP molecular weight and concentration, silver precursor concentration, salt mediators, temperature, reaction time, stirring rate, and atmospheric conditions, are discussed for their influence on yield, aspect ratio, and structural uniformity. Recent modifications to the polyol process, including green chemistry approaches, solvent engineering, halide-assisted growth, seed-mediated strategies, and multi-step elongation techniques, are highlighted as pathways to produce ultrathin, ultra-long, and uniform nanowires with improved scalability. Furthermore, the integration of AgNWs into advanced optoelectronic systems is reviewed, with focus on design strategies that address surface roughness, junction resistance, and environmental stability, enabling high-performance transparent electrodes for flexible solar cells, stretchable touch panels, and other emerging devices.