Tuning the surface of Au nanoparticles using poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol): enzyme free and label free sugar sensing in serum samples using resonance Rayleigh scattering spectroscopy

Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (F-108) functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have been successfully synthesized. During synthesis it is found that an increase in the F-108 concentration contributes to agglomeration in the media, increasing the size of the Au particles, and boosting the curcumin concentration leads to a higher density of functional groups, resulting in smaller Au NPs. FT-IR analysis reveals that the hydroxyl and phenolic groups of curcumin and F-108 are involved during the functionalization of Au surfaces. Enhancement in the fluorescence/RRS intensity is due to the combination of the influence of the shape/size of the Au NPs as well as the extent of curcumin conjugation at the interface of the Au NP surface and F-108. The presence of sugar molecules remarkably boosts the RRS intensity without significantly affecting the fluorescence and surface plasmon absorbance of the Au NPs; in contrast, the RRS intensity of standard CTAB functionalized Au NPs is unaffected by glucose molecules indicating that the functionalization of F-108 at Au surfaces is crucial. Interestingly, no interference from other potential interferents and antioxidant substances like ascorbic acid, creatinine and acetaminophen is observed. This method is simple and fast, and offers a wider linear dynamic range, 0–10 mM, that is applicable under physiological conditions and in serum samples. It is stable and provides an excellent recovery for serum samples, thus, potentially it can be useful in this field due to its low energy consumption, enzyme free assay, fast response time, better selectivity and sensitivity.