Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a composition that comprises a particle, a plurality of surface functional groups on a surface of the particle, and a plurality of coating polymers bound to the surface functional groups and forming a coating on the particle that includes a density ratio of about 0.1 to about 20.0, the density ratio being equal to a Flory radius of the plurality of coating polymers divided by a distance between adjacent surface functional groups. Embodiments of the presently-disclosed subject matter also include methods for making the present compositions as well as methods for using the present compositions to deliver a bioactive agent and treat a subject in need thereof.
