In this study, a novel and simple fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) based nano-sensor for colchicine determination has been prepared. The nitrogen doped CQDs probe was prepared using uric acid as a carbon/nitrogen source via a one-step pyrolysis. The sensor is based on inner filter effect (IFE) where colchicine acts as a powerful absorber that affects the excitation of the fluorescer (CQDs). This overlap results in a quantitative attenuation of the fluorescence of CQDs with increasing colchicine concentration in the range of 2-25 μM. The developed sensor has the advantages of simplicity, less time-consuming, convenience and satisfactory selectivity for colchicine determination in pharmaceutical dosage forms.
Keywords: Carbon quantum dots; Colchicine; Fluorescent nano-sensor; Inner filter effect; Pharmaceutical analysis; Uric acid.