Layer-by-layer preparation of polyelectrolyte multilayer nanocapsules via crystallized miniemulsions.

Well-defined polyelectrolyte multilayer nanocapsules (NCs) are synthesized by layer-by-layer deposition of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) over crystallized miniemulsion nanoparticles, followed by shell crosslinking and template removal. This synthetic approach allows well-controlled dimensions of NCs due to the high colloidal stability of the templates, and may also permit a broad composition range of NCs because of the mild conditions for template removal.