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

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.