Amphiphilic polythiophene for the formation of gold nanowire networks

Polythiophene containing amphiphilic decyl-tri(oxyethylene) side group was synthesized. Gold nanowire networks having almost uniform wire diameters could be prepared when the amphiphilic polythiophene was mixed with hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (HAuCl₄) in THF followed by the addition of aqueous sodium borohydride solution. The size of nanowire networks and the diameter of the component wires could be controlled by changing the polymer concentration and the gold salt to polymer ratios. When polythiophene derivatives having hydrophobic or hydrophilic side groups were used instead of the amphiphilic polythiophene, disconnected poor networks and coagulated nanoparticle chunks, respectively, were obtained, although the same reduction process was applied.