Use of Triton X-114 as a weak capping agent for one-pot aqueous phase synthesis of ultrathin noble metal nanowires and a primary study of their electrocatalytic activity.

By using Triton X-114 as structure-director and weak binding stabilizer, ultrathin Au, Pd and Pt nanowires are synthesized in seconds by reduction of inorganic metal precursors with KBH(4) in aqueous phase. The nanowires show high catalytic activity and long-term stability toward electrooxidation of alcohols.