Impact of sample history and solvent effects on pathway control in the supramolecular polymerisation of Au(i)-metallopeptide amphiphiles

Abstract

We investigate the kinetics of the supramolecular polymerisation of an Au(i)-metallopeptide amphiphile that assembles into exceptionally long and rigid nanofibers. We developed a precise preparation protocol to measure the concentration dependent assembly kinetics which elucidated a nucleation-elongation dominated supramolecular polymerisation process. We show striking differences in the assembly behavior and morphology in aqueous media, even at organic solvent contents as low as 1 vol%, compared to pure buffer.