One-step synthesis of water-soluble AgInS2 and ZnS-AgInS2 composite nanocrystals and their photocatalytic activities

► Synthesis of AgInS2 and ZnS-AgInS2 nanocrystals in aqueous phase for the first time. ► The PL QYs of GSH-capped ZnS-AgInS2 NCs reaches to 15%. ► AIS and ZAIS NCs show a promising photocatalyst in the degradation of rhodamine B.