A positively charged polyvinyl N-methylpyridine (PVMP) polymer is patterned on a solid substrate via photochemical crosslinking, with the resultant cationic surface directing the adsorption of water-soluble Au nanoparticles, producing patterned nanostructured conductive films (see figure). These surfaces could be further modified with thiol ligands allowing fine-tuning of surface wettability and biocompatibility.