One simple route to fabricate gold nanowire network films by using P2VP-b-PEO diblock copolymers as templates

A simple, facile method for the fabrication of a gold nanowire network in large scale on the solid substrates is presented. In a selective solvent, micelles of poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VP-b-PEO) are formed. After spin coating of the micelles solution on silicon wafers, network structures of P2VP-b-PEO aggregates are obtained. The micellar films of the block copolymers are used as templates for the selective loading gold precursors (HAuCl4) in P2VP domains. The gold nanowire networks are generated after the removal of the block copolymer templates by an oxygen plasma treatment.