Cellulose-based seedless synthesis of silver nanowires and their application as sensitive SERS

Ag nanowires (AgNWs) have been the focus of many recent studies due to their bizarre properties. Herein, using a cellulose-based seedless biological route, tightly intertwined AgNWs were readily synthesized under hydrothermal condition in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The yields and evenness of the AgNWs were significantly affected by CTAB dosage. Without adding CTAB, only silver nanoparticles of about 72.0 nm in size were produced. When 5 % CTAB was applied, AgNWs of about 60.5 nm in diameter were obtained. The as-synthesized AgNWs displayed excellent Raman enhancement properties for the detection of rhodamine 6G.29.