Amphiphilic spherical nanoparticles with a nitrogen-enriched carbon-like surface by using beta-lactoglobulin as a template

We demonstrate a versatile and facile method for fabrication of a new class of amphiphilic spherical nanoparticles having a nitrogen-enriched carbonised surface and precisely-controlled morphology. They are prepared by one-pot polymerization with beta-lactoglobulin aggregates as a template with tunable size (70-750 nm) and mild heat-treatment to extend the pi-conjugated structures.