Preparation and characterization of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles in aqueous media

► Water-soluble CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn magnetic-fluorescent nanoparticles were synthesized. ► Chitosan was specially used as a carrier matrix for the synthesis of CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn. ► CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn possessed near infrared fluorescent and superparamagnetic property. ► CS-Fe3O4@ZnS:Mn could be useful in the biological and biomedical fields.