A method for forming gold nanowires on a substrate is provided. The method includes a) attaching noble metal nanoparticles onto the substrate; and b) contacting the noble metal nanoparticles with an aqueous solution comprising a ligand, gold ions and a reducing agent, wherein the ligand is an organic compound having a thiol group. Gold nanowires formed by a method according to the method, and an electronic device comprising the gold nanowires are also provided.