I think you can use Iodine in order to suspend the Nano-SiO2 particles in water. Iodine reacts with water and release protons. these protons absorb to the surface of particles and positively charge their surface.
If it's a powder, you can't disperse it in water and expect to produce discrete nanosized particles. The only dispersing agent is energy - thee are no 'magic' chemicals that disperse (additives wet or stabilize or both). Calculate how much you need to produce new surfaces of nanodimensions. For a primer providing more references see:
Nov 11th, 2008. Dispersion and nanotechnology http://tinyurl.com/hpywsge