Optimization of Silver Nanowires Synthesis and Purification Processes for Commercially Viable Pilot Scale Production

银纳米线（SNW）由于其大的长径比、纳米直径和优异的导电性，是最有希望用于修饰先进多组分系统电性能的纳米材料之一。因此，它们已成为新型应用的关键功能组件，包括用于显示器或太阳能电池板的柔性透明电极、传感器、热涂层、催化剂、导电油墨和粘合剂。制备纳米线的几种物理和化学方法已经被开发出来，其中多元醇反应已经被证明是有效的，可以在实验室规模上制造出各种长度和直径的SNW。剩下的挑战是扩大反应和净化程序，以实现成本效益高、产量高、性能可控的纳米线生产。在这里，我们提出了一个合作研发项目，以中试规模生产各种等级的银纳米线。本研究通过对反应途径的广泛分析和一系列实验结果，系统地研究了影响纳米线合成和纯化的主要因素。生产能力将在对产品进行全面分析的同时，分多个步骤扩大。所需的修改将被应用，以确保在每个步骤中都保持所需的质量。研究结果将用于实施一个优化的、经济上可行的中试工艺，以实现高产量、可控的SNW生产。然后将检查已建立的过程自动化的可行性，以提高产品的一致性。并提出假设，阐明反应机理，为进一步扩大生产规模提供指导。这项研究的成功完成是迈向商业化生产SNW和基于SNW的先进材料的第一步。将至少培训两名实习生，并创造一个全职职位。我们希望发表和展示部分研究结果。我们还将考虑申请SNW生产工艺专利的可能性。”

Silver nanowires (SNW) are among the most promising nanomaterials for modifying electrical properties of advanced multicomponent systems due to their large length to diameter ratio, nanometric diameter, and exceptional electrical conductivity. As the result they have become key functional component in novel applications including flexible transparent electrodes for displays or solar panels, sensors, thermal coatings, catalysts, and conductive inks and adhesives. Several physical and chemical methods have been developed for production of nanowires, among which the polyol reactions have been proven efficient for making SNW with a range of lengths and diameters at laboratory-scale. The remaining challenge is scaling-up the reaction and purification procedure for cost-effective, high-yield production of nanowires with controlled properties.Here we are proposing a collaborative R&D project on pilot scale production of various grades of silver nanowires. The research involves systematic study of the major factors influencing the synthesis and purification of the nanowires via extensive analysis of the reaction pathway and the outcome of an array of experiment. The production capacity will be expanded in multiple steps alongside thorough analysis of the product. Required modifications will be applied to ensure the desired quality is maintained at each step. The results will be used to implement an optimized, economically viable pilot-scale process for high-yield, controlled production of SNW. The feasibility of automating the established process will then be examined to improve the product consistency. Also, a hypothesis will be developed to elucidate the reaction mechanism and provide guidelines for further increase in production scale. Successful completion of this research is the first step towards commercial production of SNW and SNW-based advanced materials. At least two interns will be trained, and one full-time position will be created. We expect to publish and present a portion of the results of this study. We will also consider the possibility of patenting the SNW production process.