RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Synthesis of Silver Nanowires via Polyol Process for Electromagnetic Shielding

Applications

SUBMITTED BY SUMMIYA YOUSAFZAI

MPHIL SCHOLAR
SUPERVISOR DR. AFZAL KHAN
ASSISANT PROFESSOR
CO-SUPERVISOR DR. JASMINE SHAH
MERITORIOUS PROFESSOR
INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL SCIENCES

GRADUATE STUDIES COMMITTEE

_____________________
Prof. Yaseen Iqbal
(Convener)

_________________
Prof. Anisa Qamar Dr. Afzal Khan
(Member) (Member)

_______________
Prof. Nazir Shah Prof. Naeem Khalid
(Member) (Member)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR
(2019-20)
 Synthesis of Silver Nanowires via Polyol Process for Electromagnetic
Shielding Applications

INTRODUCTION

The capability of engineering materials’ properties at the nanoscale attracts scientific community

to nanomaterials and nanotechnology [1]. Because of their outstanding adjustable properties and

improved performance over the bulk materials [2], nanomaterials have become incredibly

valuable in technological advancement. Richard Feynman, for the first time, suggested the idea

of nanotechnology by stating, “there is plenty of room at the bottom” [3]. Since then, the

researchers has analyzed the role of nanomaterials and have accomplished enormous progress

throughout the last few year’s [4, 5].

Basic structural entities in nanomaterials with at least one dimension of the order of nanometer

(nm) have unique physical and chemical properties as compared to their bulk counterparts [6].

These materials include nanoparticles, nanoclusters, nanocrystals, nanotubes, nanofibers,

nanorods, thin films and nanowires [7-9]. The decreased size of nanomaterial dramatically

increases the surface to volume ratio which results into their excellent electrical, optical, thermal,

catalytic, and mechanical properties [10]. Due to these enhanced properties nanomaterials are

considered as potential candidates for electronics [11], optoelectronics [12], thermoelectric and

sensing applications [13-15]. The nanomaterials have been successfully deployed in optics, fuel

cell, batteries, sensors, construction industry, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, solar

cells ,construction industry and thermoelectric devices [16-20].

In the last two decades, special focus has been paid to the synthesis of one-dimensional

nanometer-scale structures such as nanowires, nanofibers and nanorods [21]. Among these

materials, the nanowires have extensively been investigated by the scientific community due to

their excellent electrical, thermal, magnetic and mechanical properties [22]. The nanowires have

been widely applied in nano devices such as nano sensors, nano lasers, and nano probes [23-24].

The synthesis of metallic nanowires has been tackled recently for the development of highly

transparent flexible electrodes, solar cells [25] and electromagnetic shielding devices [26]. The

scientists have successfully synthesized superconducting, metallic, semiconducting and

insulating nanowires [27]. Among these nanowires, the metallic nanowire have unique

properties such as high aspect ratio [28], high conductivity, flexibility and stretchability [25].

Metallic nanowires may potentially offer a unique model system for investigating physical

phenomena including quantized conductivity and localization effects. But the metallic nanowires

low conductivity, high optical excitation and low flexibility which hinder their applications [30].

These shortcomings of nanowires could be overcome by synthesizing silver nanowires

(AgNWs).

AgNWs in the form of a two-dimensional network combine high electrical conductivity with low
optical excitation in the visible range, which make them a cheap and flexible candidate as
compared to their bulk counterpart for optoelectronics and thermoelectric applications [31-32].

AgNWs could be regarded as a valuable material for highly effective Electromagnetic (EM)
shielding. In the Internet of Things (IoT) age, the incredibly rapid adoption of wireless
communication technology has resulted in major EM shielding requirements for the reduction in
noise, signal interruption, safety of the equipment and even humans [33]. To meet the EM
shielding requirements of future next-generation optoelectronic devices and wearable electronics
[34], advanced EM shielding materials that can combine elasticity with high optical transparency
in the visible region are required [35]. In this research work silver nanowires will be synthesized
and characterized for their electromagnetic shielding effect.

Mathematical Model

Electromagnetic shielding is a technique blocking the desired range of electromagnetic

radiations. Shielding effect of a material is equal to the sum of the absorption, reflection and
multiple internal reflections [36]. The lower the energy transferred through a shielding material,
the higher will be the EM shielding effectiveness (SE) [37].

The total shielding effect (SET) can be written as [38]

SET = SER + SEA

SER¿ 10 log ( 1−R

1
)
SEA¿ 10 log ( 1−R
T )

SET¿ 10 log ( T1 )
The electromagnetic shielding generally depends on the nature, shape, size and structure of the
material [39]. The total shielding in terms of effect refractive index n, wave vector k, and
thickness x of the material is given by the relation [39]

SET ¿ 20 log |( )
1
4n |
( 1+n )2 exp (−ikx )− (1−n )2 exp(ikx)

Setting the refractive index n and thickness x of the material, the concerned material could be
adjusted for shielding particular range of wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiations.

Aims and Objectives

This research aims to achieve the following objectives:

 Synthesis of silver nanowires via polyol process

 Deposition of AgNWs on different substrates in the form of a two-dimensional network
  Electrical, optical and thermal characterization of the AgNWs network
 Characterization of the AgNWs network for electromagnetic shielding applications

Research Methodology

Hard templet method [40], seedless surfactant less synthesis method [41], seed-based synthesis
method [42], polyol process [43], self-seeding polyol process [44], micro-wave polyol method
[45], solvothermal method [46], one-step low temperature synthesis [47], and so on are among
some of the methods of producing metallic nanowires. In comparison to other chemical
processes, the polyol process is one of the best since it is low cost, easy, and produces high
quality nanowires [48].
The polyol process will therefore be used to make silver nanowires by Using ethylene glycol
(EG) to reduce AgNO3 , in the existence of silver nanoparticles seeds and
polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) a capping agent [49]. In the experiment, 2 ml of EG will be heated
at 160°C -170°C for 10 minutes in a three-necked flask, and then a solution of 0.00004 g of
AgNO3 and 1 ml of EG will be immediately added. Following the seeding step, In 20 seconds, 5
ml AgNO3 solution (0.1 M, in EG) will be added to the sample chamber, followed by 10 ml PVP
solution (0.3 M, in EG) dropwise during the next 10 minutes.The color of the solution is to be
closely observed if it is shifted from transparent to yellow, then orange red, and eventually grey.
The resultant solution will then be centrifuged to remove impurities. After centrifugation, the
supernatant will be extracted with the help of a syringe and will be deposited on the different
substrate in the form of a two-dimensional network using spin-coating [50]. The deposited
networks will be then characterized for their structural, electrical, optical and eventually for
electromagnetic shielding effect.

Plan of Work
This reseach’s phase-by-phase plan will be carried out as follows:
Phase 1
• Review of the available literature on silver nanowires and its applications (2 months)
Phase 2
• Synthesis of the silver nanowires and its various characterizations (6 months)
Phase 3
 • Analysis and interpretation of the experimental data and thesis writeup (4 months)
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