Green synthesis of silver nanowires via ultraviolet irradiation catalyzed by phosphomolybdic acid and their antibacterial properties

In this study, we have fabricated well-defined silver nanowires by an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation technique in the presence of phosphomolybdic acid (PMo), which acted as a catalyst and stabilizing agent. The effect of fabrication parameters on the morphology of silver nanowires, such as initial concentrations of reactants, AgNO3 : PMo ratio, UV irradiation time, and temperature, are presented in detail. This suggests that the appropriate amount of PMo plays a relevant role in the formation of the silver nanowires, and temperature is another important factor determining the morphology of the silver nanowires. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of silver nanowires was investigated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and the mean diameters of the inhibition zones are 15.4 mm, 20.9 mm and 26.7 mm, respectively. This work provides a simple and green method for the synthesis of silver nanowires in aqueous solution with promising antibacterial properties.