The surface of waxy maize starch nanocrystals obtained from sulfuric acid hydrolysis of native waxy maize starch granules was chemically modified using two different reagents, namely, alkenyl succinic anhydride and phenyl isocyanate. The occurrence of chemical modification was evaluated by FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Contact angle measurements from which the surface energy of the materials under investigation was deduced showed that chemical modification led to more hydrophobic particles. Chemical modification altered the morphology of particles, as shown by observation by transmission electron microscopy, but not their crystallinity (X-ray diffraction analysis).