Polymer-nanoparticle complexes: from dilute solution to solid state.

We report on the formation and the structural properties of "supermicellar" aggregates made from mineral nanoparticles and polyelectrolyte-neutral block copolymers in aqueous solutions. The mineral particles put under scrutiny are ultrafine and positively charged yttrium hydroxyacetate nanoparticles. Combining light, neutron, and X-ray scattering experiments, we have characterized the sizes and the aggregation numbers of the organic-inorganic complexes.