A method for stabilizing colloidal suspensions of nanocrystals or nanoparticles in a solvent or solid matrix is provided by coating the nanocrystals with bulky organic molecules, specifically dendrons. By coating nanocrystals with a dense organic dendron coat and further cross-linking the dendron ligands, oxidation of the nanocrystals and dissociation of the ligands are avoided. This invention allows nanocrystals to undergo rigorous purification and processing. It may regularly be applied to a variety of nanocrystals.