Dual-emitting carbon dots as a self-ratiometric fluorescent probe for the determination of pantoprazole in pharmaceutical dosage forms

Abstract

Dual-emission carbon dots provide an efficient and straightforward approach for constructing ratiometric fluorescent probes using carbon dots alone. This approach exploits the two distinct emission bands of dual-emission carbon dots, eliminating the need for additional luminescent components. In this study, we introduce nitrogen and phosphorus-doped carbon dots synthesized from glucose and diammonium hydrogen phosphate as a novel and environmentally friendly ratiometric fluorometric probe for quantifying pantoprazole in pharmaceutical formulations. The nitrogen and phosphorus-doped carbon dots were synthesized via a rapid, one-step microwave process completed in 1.5 min. When excited at 300 nanometers, these carbon dots produced dual fluorescence emissions at 355 nanometers and 425 nanometers. Pantoprazole effectively quenched the fluorescence of these carbon dots due to the inner filter effect and static quenching via complex formation. Utilizing these dual emissions as reference peaks, this spectrofluorometric approach was validated according to International Council for Harmonization standards. The sensor displayed a strong linear response over a concentration range of 0.50 to 35.00 ^µg per milliliter, with a detection limit of 0.16 µg/mL and recoveries between 99.91 and 100.36 % (relative standard deviation <0.2 percent). Demonstrating greater environmental friendliness than traditional high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet methods, this approach received favorable environmental ratings through MoGAPI and AGREE, presenting a sustainable, economical, and time-efficient analytical method.