Self-assembly of polylactic acid and cholesterol-modified dextran into hollow nanocapsules

► Hollow nanocapsules composed of dextran and PLA were obtained by the co-dialysis method. ► Hollow nanocapsule formation depended on PLA molecular weight and weight ratio of components. ► Formation of hollow nanocapsules related to the phase separation of PLA and dextran. ► Nanocapsules with a sandwich shell structure were formed by deposition of PLA and some dextran onto the internal interface of the polysaccharide-coated aggregates.