Poly(acrylamide)-
b
-complex salts made from a symmetric
poly(acrylate-
b
-acrylamide) block copolymer, where
the acrylate charges are neutralized by cationic surfactant counterions,
form kinetically stable aqueous dispersions of hierarchical aggregates
with a liquid-crystalline complex salt core and a diffuse hydrated
shell. By the addition of suitable amounts of long-chain alcohols,
such as octanol or decanol, the structure of the internal phase can
be varied, producing micellar cubic, hexagonal, lamellar, or reverse
hexagonal liquid-crystalline phases. In addition, a disordered reverse
micellar phase forms at the highest content of octanol. These core
structures are the same as those previously obtained for macroscopic
homopolymer poly(acrylate) complex salt/water/
n
-alcohol
systems at the corresponding compositions. The poly(acrylamide)-
b
-complex salt dispersions are kinetically stable for several
weeks, with their colloidal properties and internal structures remaining
unchanged. The methodology described here establishes an easy and
robust protocol for the preparation of colloidal nanoparticles with
variable but controlled internal structures.