Herein we report our method of water solubilization and subsequent functionalization of a variety of nanoparticle systems with amphiphilic polymers containing build-in "chemical handles". We have used these polymers, which have narrow polydispersity indices, to impart water solubility and chemical sensitivity toward targeted species (here: pH). These material systems have high chemical conjugation efficiencies in aqueous conditions which may be used to create a variety of chemical and biological multifunctional materials.