Synthesis and characterization of alanine-capped water soluble copper sulphide quantum dots

► CuS quantum dots prepared in water as a solvent medium using alanine as a biologically compatible organic capping molecule. ► Product obtained were found to yield good single phase crystalline nanomaterials at all temperatures. ► Binding of the capping molecules was established with a pH dependency and drove a change in morphology of the particles from one temperature to another.