Aggregation of Ag(0) nanoparticles to unexpected stable chain-like assemblies mediated by 2,2′-bipyridine decorated peptoids

[Display omitted] We report a unique example of Ag(0) nanoparticles (NPs)-assemblies stabilized by 2,2-bipyridine (BP), via the incorporation of BP at the N-terminus of a peptoid heptamer bearing phenylethyl groups in the other positions. We show that this peptoid mediates the aggregation of the Ag(0) NPs into nanochain-like assemblies. Transmission electron microscopy, supported by UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis, revealed pre-assembly of the BP-peptoid oligomers into elongated pearl-like morphology, which serve as a template for the NPs. The fact that completely synthetic biomimetic oligomers can template and control the assembly of metal NPs, and specifically Ag(0), represents a conceptual mimic of the interaction between biomolecules and minerals for the production of nanostructured inorganic materials with complex morphologies.