Abstract: Photoactive organic ligands used to surface modify nanoparticles are described. The photo active organic ligands can be tailored to absorb radiation within a selected range of wavelengths. Upon absorption of radiation, the ligands react to alter the solubility of the ligand, and may be cleaved, and surface modification of the nanoparticles changes such that solubility of the nanoparticles changes. Coatings prepared with the surface modified nanoparticles can be radiation patterned and developed in accordance to methods described herein. Appropriate selection of a solvent as developer provides image formation facilitated by the difference in solubilities of the nanoparticles. Methods of radiation patterning the coatings are Luminescent nanoparticles surface modified with the photoactive organic ligands can be used to form down shifting light emission substrates suitable for use in electronic displays.