Forming biocompatible and nonaggregated nanocrystals in water using amphiphilic polymers.

High-quality nanocrystals formed in organic solvents can be completely solubilized in water using amphiphilic copolymers containing poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG. These copolymers are generated using a maleic anhydride coupling scheme that permits the coupling of a wide variety of PEG polymers, both unfunctionalized and functionalized, to hydrophobic tails. Thermogravimetric analysis, size exclusion chromatography, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy all indicate that the copolymers effectively coat the nanocrystals surfaces.