A generally synthetic route to semiconducting metal sulfide nanocrystals by using corresponding metal powder and cysteine as metallic and sulfuric sources, respectively

► l-Cysteine as environmentally friendly S source. ► Metal powders as cheap metal sources. ► A general and facile synthesis route has been developed. ► A series of metallic sulfide NCs including ZnS, CdS, PbS, CuxS, MnS and Bi2S3 have been harvested.