AUNP

TEM images (see Figure 6(a)) clearly showed AuNP aggregates on the surface of the PS beads.

Various nanoparticle assays for a simple detection of [Hg.sup.2+] ions have recently been investigated using gold nanorods (AuNRs) [12], carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) [13], silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) [14], silver nanoprisms (AgNPRs) [15], and AuNPs [16-18].

Furthermore, the small band at approximately 400nm in the spectrum of AuNP PAH-curcumin corresponded to the characteristic absorption band of curcumin, indicating conjugation.

Another optical method using AuNPs for miRNA detection used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as the basis for measuring adsorption of miRNA onto the surface of AuNPs.

Both 1.5% and 2wt% AuNP doped systems gave 100% degradation of 50 mL, 10 mg/L MO dye over 3 g/L catalyst for 2 h exposure to UV light.

Metal NPs such as gold (AuNP) and silver are applied to analysis and sensing, because of their unique plasmonic properties.