Transparent, conductive gold nanowire networks assembled from soluble Au thiocyanate

Extremely long gold nanowires spontaneously assemble in a water–dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution of Au(SCN)4−. The Au nanowires were crystalline, exhibited a very high aspect ratio, and, importantly, were produced without co-addition of reducing agents. Transparent conductive films were formed by surface deposition of the nanowires and plasma treatment.