*2.4. LPNCs Physic-Chemical Characterization*

The hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index (PDI), and Z-potential were studied for the LPNCs through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) using a Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern Panalytical, Malvern, UK). A dilution of 1:10 in milliQ water was performed to adjust the intensity (attenuator position between 3 and 6).

The LPNCs' morphology, size, and distribution were studied using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The LPNCs' size was also measured using the particle analysis tool of the Image J software. The TEM grids were coated with formvar of a 1:10 dilution of LPNCs in milliQ water and incubated for 1 min at room temperature. The grids were washed with milliQ water and stained with a 2% *w*/*w* uranyl acetate solution (Electron Microscopy Sciences, Hatfield, England) during 1 min at room temperature. They were then dried in a petri dish overnight and observed using a TEM microscope (Jeol JEM 1010 100 kv; Jeol, Tokyo, Japan).
