Uniform silver nanowires were synthesized via a green and simple hydrothermal method through fine tailoring the anions in the precursors. The results indicate that the anions added to the reaction precursors played a key role in determining the morphology and composition of the final products. A new possible mechanism is proposed that in the hydrothermal process AgxAy act as another oxidant except for Ag+ ions. The obtained silver nanowires showed excellent and long-lasting antibacterial property. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.