The purpose of this study was to conceive novel nanoparticles (NPs) designed for drug delivery applications. The NPs were based on a hydrophobic poly (lactic acid) (PLA) core and a hydrophilic beta-cyclodextrin polymer (Poly-beta-CD) shell. The PLA NPs were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. The Poly-beta-CD shell was obtained by adsorption from Poly-beta-CD solution. Different complementary techniques have been used to fully characterize the system including dynamic light scattering, Zeta potential measurements, solution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and small angle neutron scattering. They provide good evidence of a core-shell structure. The NPs parameters are dependent on the elaboration process, Poly-beta-CD characteristics and adsorption conditions. In the conditions of adsorption' saturation, the shells were constituted of Poly-beta-CD monolayers covering the PLA surfaces with adsorption amounts from 2 to 4 mg/m(2), allowing reaching Poly-beta-CD weight fractions of 10-20% in the NPs. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.