Platinum films can be obtained by aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) using one or more Pt-dialkyldithiocarbamate complexes of formula Pt(S2CNR2), wherein R is independently alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl, particularly as single source precursors. Such methods may include heating a substrate to a deposition temperature above 150° C. in a reactor; and introducing into the reactor, at the deposition temperature, an aerosol including a platinum dithiocarbamate compound, salt, and/or solvate thereof, to thereby deposit the platinum layer on the substrate. The Pt(S2CNR2)-derived films have well-connected and defect-free surface topography and better catalytic performance, likely due to their high conductivity and reflectivity.