pH-assisted shape-controlled synthesis of homogeneous hybrid CdS-cystine composites

•A facile pH-assisted method to control the morphology of CdS-cystine composites•Side spindle-, bundle-, laminar- and egg-like of CdS-cystine composites were fabricated.•The pH and concentration were critic factors in determining the shape of composites.

Homogeneous hybrid CdS-cystine composites with different shapes such as side spindle-like, bundle-like, laminar and egg-like have been fabricated in mild conditions using CdS QDs as inorganic unit and l-cysteine as organic unit, in which l-cysteine was oxidated to generate cystine as an organic matrix. It is demonstrated that the morphologies of composites were controllable with pH of reactant solution and concentration of l-cysteine. The morphological evolution and photoluminescence properties of composites have also been explored.

Graphical abstractHomogeneous hybrid CdS-cystine composites with different shapes such as side spindle-like, bundle-like, laminar and egg-like have been fabricated by incorporating CdS nanocrystals into l-cystine matrices.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide