Synthesis of highly oriented gold thin films by a UV-irradiation route

¹ Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS 2050, South Africa
² Electron Microscope Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS 2050, South Africa

Corresponding author: scurrell@aurum.wits.ac.za

Received: 13 April 2004
Revised: 19 May 2004
Accepted: 25 June 2004
Published online: 30 August 2004

Abstract

A synthetic route is presented for the preparation of a gold film in the presence of UV-radiation. Methoxypolyethylene glycol, a water-soluble polymer, was used as the reducing agent of gold ions in the presence of an ultra-violet source, and gold nanoparticles resulted. During stirring, a centrifugal force is generated at the center of the solution (at the point where the meniscus is at its lowest level with respect to the vertical orthogonal). At this point, the nanoparticles coalesce and form a self-assembly of smaller subunits that ultimately forms a film like network.