Organic dye molecules and oleic acid coated upconverting nanoparticles are not water-soluble. This protocol describes a ‘plug and play’ method that enables the transfer of organic dye molecules and upconverting particles from their initial hydrophobic solvent to water.
Arafeh, K. M., Asadirad, A. M., Li, J. W., Wilson, D., Wu, T., Branda, N. R. A 'Plug and Play' Method to Create Water-dispersible Nanoassemblies Containing an Amphiphilic Polymer, Organic Dyes and Upconverting Nanoparticles. J. Vis. Exp. (105), e52987, doi:10.3791/52987 (2015).