An efficient route for the assembling of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) onto solution phase Ag(palmitate) bilayer structure has been developed. Two dimension (2D) arrays of Ag NPs on Ag(palmitate) were prepared by treating palmitate stabilized Ag NPs with the as-synthesized Ag(palmitate) or ribbon-shaped Ag(palmitate) templates. The interaction between long chain carboxylate surfactants of Ag NPs and the protruding aliphatic chains of the loosely packed self-assembled monolayer may play a role in directing the self-assembly of NPs in monolayer fashion. In addition, facile method to control morphology of Ag(carboxylates) from micro-flakes to micro-ribbons was also demonstrated. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.