Surface modified nanoparticles

1. A method of functionalizing a InP/ZnS nanoparticle, comprising:

associating a ligand interactive agent consisting essentially of a C 8 -C 20 fatty acid with the nanoparticle;

crosslinking the ligand interactive agent with a linking/crosslinking agent consisting essentially of hexamethoxymethylmelamine; and

binding a surface modifying ligand to the ligand interactive agent.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing capping ligands on the nanoparticle and wherein associating a ligand interactive agent with the nanoparticle comprises intercalating the ligand interactive agent with the capping ligands.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface modifying ligand is water soluble.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface modifying ligand comprises a polyether.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface modifying ligand is a monomethoxy polyethylene glycol.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface modifying ligand comprises a silicone.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein associating a ligand interactive agent with the nanoparticle comprises incubating the ligand interactive agent with the nanoparticle to yield a ligand interactive agent-nanoparticle association complex.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein crosslinking the ligand interactive agent comprises contacting the ligand interactive agent-nanoparticle association complex with a solution of the hexamethoxymethylmelamine linking/crosslinking agent to effect crosslinking of the ligand interactive agent.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solution of linking/crosslinking agent further comprises a catalyst.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the solution of linking/crosslinking agent further comprises the surface modifying ligand.

11. A functionalized nanoparticle, comprising:

a core comprising InP/ZnS;

a crosslinked ligand interactive agent consisting essentially of a C 8 -C 20 fatty acid associated with the surface of the functionalized nanoparticle; and

at least one surface modifying ligand bound to the ligand interactive agent.

12. The nanoparticle of claim 11 , wherein the ligand interactive agents are associated with the surface of the nanoparticle by intercalating with capping ligands on the nanoparticle.

13. The nanoparticle of claim 11 , wherein the ligand interactive agents are crosslinked via a linking/crosslinking agent consisting essentially of hexamethoxymethylmelamine.

14. The nanoparticle of claim 13 , wherein the surface modifying ligands are bound to the ligand interactive agent via the linking/crosslinking agent.

15. The nanoparticle of claim 11 , wherein the surface modifying ligand comprises a polyether.

16. The nanoparticle of claim 11 , wherein the surface modifying ligand comprises a silicone.

17. The nanoparticle of claim 11 , wherein the nanoparticle is water soluble.

18. The nanoparticle of claim 17 , wherein the nanoparticle has a quantum yield of greater than about 35%.

19. The nanoparticle of claim 18 , wherein the nanoparticle does not comprise cadmium.

20. A composition comprising a nanoparticle and hexamethoxymethylmelamine.

21. The composition of claim 20 , wherein the nanoparticle comprises:

a core comprising InP;

a crosslinked ligand interactive agent consisting essentially of a C 8 -C 20 fatty acid associated with the surface of the nanoparticle; and

at least one surface modifying ligand bound to the ligand interactive agent.

22. The composition of claim 21 , further comprising a polar solvent.

23. The composition of claim 22 , wherein the nanoparticle has a quantum yield of greater than about 35%.

24. The composition of claim 23 , wherein the nanoparticle does not comprise cadmium.

25. The composition of claim 24 , wherein the composition is an ink.