Ultrathin gold nanowires can be obtained by reducing polymeric strands of oleylamine-AuCl complexes formed via aurophilic interaction.

This Communication describes a facile route to the preparation of ultrathin gold nanowires using linear chains formed from [(oleylamine)AuCl] complex via aurophilic interaction. The linear chains, with AuI...AuI bonds as the backbone and surrounded by oleylamines, can group together to form bundles of polymeric strands. When the AuI was reduced to Au0 by reacting with Ag nanoparticles in hexane, the polymeric strands functioned as both the source of Au and the template to mediate the nucleation and growth of Au nanowires. Using this method, we were able to produce Au nanowires with an average diameter of approximately 1.8 nm and an aspect ratio of >1000 in high yields (approximately 70%).