NOVELTY - A block copolymer (I) comprising catechol segment, is new.    USE - New block copolymer is used in manufacture of coated inorganic nanoparticles used in liquid composition for forming film (all claimed). Uses include but are not limited to secondary battery material, fuel cell material, fluorescent material, electronic component material, magnetic recording material, magnetic fluid, nanostructure modifier of ceramics, sensor, polishing material, fluorescent labeling, artificial tissue, etc.    ADVANTAGE - The block copolymer provides coated inorganic nanoparticles with controlled reversed micelle size and reduced generation of byproduct, without performing purification process and using reducing agent, and is manufactured with high productivity, by simple process.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A block copolymer of formula (I) comprising catechol segment, is new.    R1=linear, branched or cyclic 1-18C alkyl, 2-18C alkenyl, 3-18C monovalent heterocyclyl containing heteroatom chosen from N, S, O, Se, and Te, or 6-18C monovalent aryl (all optionally substituted by carboxy, hydroxy, cyano, or 1-20C alkyl);    Z=H, chloro, carboxy, cyano, -OH, -SR7, -N(R7)2, -OC(=O)R7, -C(=O)OR7, -C(=O)N(R7)2, -P(=O)(OR7)2, -P(=O)(R7)2, or 1-20C alkyl, 3-20C monovalent heterocyclyl containing heteroatom chosen from N, S, O, Se, and Te, or 6-20C monovalent aryl (all optionally substituted by carboxy, hydroxy, cyano, or 1-20C alkyl);    R7=1-20C alkyl, 3-20C monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbyl, 3-20C monovalent heterocyclyl containing heteroatom, -OR', -SR', -N(R')2, or 6-20C monovalent aryl;    R'=1-18C alkyl, 2-18C alkenyl, 6-18C monovalent aryl, or 3-18C monovalent heterocyclyl containing heteroatom chosen from N, S, O, Se, and Te;    n,m,t=3-1000;    R2=linear, branched or cyclic 1-20C alkyl, 6-20C aryl, or 7-20C aralkyl;    X,Y'=optionally, amido or ester;    p=1-10;    R8=H or R3;    R8=H or R4;    R3,R4=protecting group;and    R5,R6=H or CH3.    The total ratio of H in R8 and R9 is 60% or more. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) liquid composition, which contains the inorganic nanoparticles dispersed in an organic solvent;    (2) manufacture of block copolymer; and    (3) manufacture of coated inorganic nanoparticles, which involves adding a solution obtained by dissolving mineral salt or mineral salt to the inorganic nanoparticles.