Atomic force microscopy imaging of novel type of polymeric colloidal nanostructures

Polymeric nanoparticles were prepared by the interfacial poly-condensation of the lipophilic monomer, phtaloyldichloride and the hydrophilic monomer, diethylenetriamine, in the presence and absence of the surfactant Pluronic F68. The colloidal systems were analysed by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy, the structures formed have two populations (150 and 350 nm) in the presence of the surfactant and one population (450 nm) in the absence of the surfactant. The results can be interpreted in terms of the formation of hollow nanocapsules that collapse on deposition and drying.