Particle functionalization systems including one or more of: a target of a material an energetic ion and/or electron source providing accelerated ions and electrons to the target a potential that is applied to at least the target and that causes ions and/or electrons from the ionized gas to impact a surface of the target and release atoms of the material at least one magnet providing a magnetic field that controls movement of the ions and electrons and nucleation, formation and growth of particles from the released atoms and a particle collection device that collects particles, the collection device comprising a substrate and a polymeric functionalization coating disposed on the substrate, wherein particles impinge upon and form bonds with molecules of the functionalization coating. Methods of preparing functionalized particles, functionalized particle compositions, and kits including functionalized particles are also described.
