Figure 1
TEM images of parallel strands of silver nanowires. (a) Representative TEM images of parallel strands of silver nanowires from low magnification to high. Inset: SEM image of parallel strands of silver nanowires. Silver nanoparticles are attached on silver nanowires. Clear boundaries between nanowires and a large void between the strands of nanowires are observed. TEM image at high magnification shows the arrangement of atoms in the crystal structure. (b) In-situ monitored TEM images of silver nanowires at different temperatures from RT to 575 °C. No significant change of the morphology of silver nanowires at 100 °C. Nanoparticles on silver nanowires were fused and shrunk between 200 °C and 300 °C. The size of fused particles was significantly reduced from 350 °C to 500 °C. The void at the center was blocked at 550 °C. The fused silver nanowire was completely broken at 575 °C.
