In this study, silver nanowires (Ag NWs) were synthesized in a one-pot method from silver nitrate and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), and reduced by ethylene glycol without the presence of chloride ion. The addition of silver nitrate and PVP was controlled by syringes. The syringe rate, and the concentrations of silver nitrate, and PVP, were manipulated to obtain Ag NWs with different widths and lengths. We have observed the phenomena of coarsening and combination of silver nanorods during the growth of the Ag NWs. With these phenomena, we have developed a growth model of Ag NWs, and successfully synthesized Ag NWs with high aspect ratios via the developed model.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes/Pd nanoparticles (CNT/Pd) were prepared by different four synthesis techniques. After the chemical oxidation of CNTs, the infrared absorption data indicated the existence of several functional groups loaded on the CNTs surfaces. The first Pd deposition technique went through the processes of Sn sensitization and Pd deposition on the functionalized surfaces of CNTs. The second method was Pd deposition by polyol process. The third method was Pd deposition using hydrazine in acidic media. In the fourth method, fourth generation poly(amidoamine) dendrimer and sodium borohydride were used as an intermediator between Pd and the surfaces of CNTs and as a reducing agent of the palladium chloride, respectively. It was observed from transmission electron microscope analysis of the produced CNT/Pd nanoparticles that the Pd particles on the CNTs prepared by the fourth method had the smallest average particle size of 3 nm. The Pd contents in the produced CNT/Pd nanocomposite powders were determined by thermogravimetric analysis.