Room temperature processed Au/a-IZO (amorphous indium zinc oxide) bilayers are synthesized and systematically studied. Unexpectedly high conductivity of 1.2 x 105 Scm(-1) and mobility of 65.6 cm(2)V(-1)s(-1) are achieved for Au/a-IZO bilayer samples prepared under specific conditions. The conduction mechanisms are analyzed. An optimum FOM (figure of merit) value of 40 Omega(-1) is obtained, which is -3 times higher than that of an ITO film. The optimum Au/a-IZO bilayer sample is successfully applied as counter electrode of DSSC (dye sensitized solar cells). (C) Copyright 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.