Synthesis and characterization of Mn doped ZnS d-dots with controllable dual-color emissions

► Synthesis of Mn doped ZnS d-dots with controlled sizes and optical properties. ► The obtained d-dots demonstrate tunable dual-color (orange and blue) emissions. ► The color hue of the Mn doped ZnS d-dots can be tuned from blue to orange by controlling the Mn doping concentration. ► The Mn doped ZnS d-dots can be made to be water soluble by ligand exchange.