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A facile L-cysteine-assisted route for the preparation of capsule-like Cu2SnS3 crystals with high uniformity and yield was reported. The as-synthesised samples were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectrum and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The Cu2SnS3 nanocapsules were 200–500 nm in width and up to 2 μm in length. Results showed that the structure of the nanocapsules was cubic phase which had stoichiometric composition, good crystallinity and capsule-like morphology. Importantly, the effects of solvents on the structure and morphology of the product were investigated. A possible mechanism for the growth of capsule-like Cu2SnS3 nanostructures was also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]