An aspect of the invention includes a nanoparticle including a substantially monodisperse inorganic core with a surface and a coating substantially covering the surface of the substantially monodisperse inorganic core, wherein the coating includes of at least coating structure I, II, or III wherein the nanoparticle is substantially non-agglomerated and has diameter in a range from about 1 nm to about 100 nm. An aspect of the invention also encompasses a method of making a substantially non-agglomerated nanoparticle having a diameter in a range from about 1 nm to about 100 nm including a substantially monodisperse inorganic core with a surface and a coating substantially covering the surface of the substantially monodisperse inorganic core, wherein the coating comprises coating structure I, II, or III. An aspect of the invention also encompasses various methods of using the substantially non-agglomerated nanoparticle having a diameter in a range from about 1 nm to about 100 nm including a substantially monodisperse inorganic core with a surface and a coating substantially covering the surface of the substantially monodisperse inorganic core, wherein the coating comprises coating structure I, II, or III.