In these years synthesis and applications of single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) have aroused great interests. In this article, the surfactant behaviors of amphiphilic mono-tethered SCNPs are reported. Amphiphilic mono-tethered SCNPs were prepared by intramolecular cross-linking reaction. In the mono-tethered SCNPs, there are disulfide bonds at the junction points between coil chains and the SCNPs. H-1 NMR, size exclusion chromatography and transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated successful synthesis of the SCNPs. The amphiphilic mono-tethered SCNPs are able to lower the surface tension of water. Critical micelle concentration of the SCNPs in aqueous solution was determined. The mono-tethered SCNPs were used as surfactants in the suspension polymerization of styrene, and polystyrene colloidal particles with SCNPs on the surfaces were prepared. SCNPs on the colloidal particles were cleaved from the surfaces of the colloidal particles, leaving thiol groups on the surfaces. Pyridyl disulfide-modified PS colloidal particles were synthesized by a reaction between 2,2'-dipyridyl disulfide and the thiol groups on the PS particles. The pyridyl disulfide-modified colloidal particles were used as a platform for the preparation of functional colloidal particles. Herein, fluorescence-labeled colloidal particles were prepared by a reaction of thiol-modified fluorescein isothiocyanate and pyridyl disulfide groups on the particles. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.