This paper introduces a facile method for preparing core-shell type particles composed of a polymer core and a controlled layer shell with inorganic particles such as SiO2, TiO2 and Fe3O4. This method can be characterized as a one-pot synthesis procedure based on self-assembling copolymerization. By choosing particle diameters and adjusting the chemical modification of inorganic shell components, the method enables precise control of a shell layer such as single, double and multi-layer structures. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.