Patent ID: 8377469

Claim:
Method for the preparation of nano- and mesosized particles consisting of a lipid layer comprising at least one amphiphile and a core of a metal oxide or hydroxide, said method comprising: (i) dissolving in a common solvent at least one self-aggregating amphiphile with at least one inorganic, organometallic or metallorganic precursor of said inorganic compound or metal; and (ii) either injecting the resulting solution into an aqueous solution or drying the resulting solution and re-hydrating it, so as to form in both cases nano- and mesosized particles in which the precursor is encapsulated by the amphiphile(s) and is converted therein to said inorganic compound and/or metallic solid form wherein said precursor is a metal alkoxide; and wherein said precursor which is encapsulated is converted to said metal oxide or hydroxide by contact with a reducing agent.