Silver nanowires (diameter 20-50 nm, length of the order of mum) have been synthesized in a high yield from nitric acid-treated iron plates dipped in a silver nitrate solution of an appropriate concentration. The formation of the silver nanowires is discussed in terms of silver nitrate concentration, substrate surface morphology and elemental nature of substrate. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.