Paper Title
Curcumin Mediated F-108 Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Optical Sensing

Abstract
Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (F-108) capped gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) has be successfully synthesized in one pot green synthetic procedure by reducing Au3+to Au0 using curcumin in F-108 media. SEM images have been used to determine particle sizes and EDX analysis confirm that presence of Ag+ions in the media only facilitates the process to form uniform Au NPs. Fluorescence coming out from the NPs suggest functionalization of curcumin on Au surfaces along with F-108. F-108 and curcumin functionalized Au NPs is subsequently employed to design a new optical biosensor for uric acid. The combination of uric acid with Au NPs boost the fluorescence intensity and RRS signal of Au NPs. However, higher concertation of uric acid shifts the fluorescence emission spectrum to shorter wavelength region indicating hydrophobic environment created by large assembly of uric acid around gold nanoparticles. The proposed method shows simplicity and offers remarkable linear dynamic ranges, 0.05-50 mM with a detection limit of 23 μg/mL