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The article reports on the strong linking of dopamine derivatives as a simple and a versatile strategy for the surface functionalization of hydroxyl-terminated nanodiamond (ND–OH) particles. Azide- (ND–N3) or poly-N-isopropylacrylamide-terminated (ND–PNIPAM) particles were obtained from ND–OH particles through the reaction with the corresponding dopamine derivatives. The azide-terminated ND particles were further derivatized with a fluorescent probe, alkynyl-pyrene, via copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The modified ND particles were characterized using transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and particle size measurements. The surface loading of ND particles with dopamine was estimated from TGA and UV–vis spectroscopy and was found to be around 0.27 mmol g–1. Because of its simple, gentle nature and versatility, the chemistry developed in this work can be used as an avenue for the preparation of functional nanodiamond particles for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]