Mn-doped ZnS phosphorescent quantum dots: Coumarins optical sensors

Abstract

Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have increasingly attracted much attention as luminescent sensors. Mn+2doping promotes a strong phosphorescence-like emission, allowing the development of novel and highly selective sensing phases. In this vein, a coumarins phosphorescent sensor was developed based on the room temperature phosphorescence quenching of water-soluble Mn-doped ZnS QDs. Phosphorescence lifetimes were measured in order to clarify the involved quenching mechanism. Warfarin determination in pharmaceutical products was performed, reaching good figures of merit. The developed methodology is an alternative, rapid, simple, sensitive and selective method for coumarins determination in pharmaceutical and toxicological samples.