Nanocrystalline ZnS is a well-recognized semiconducting material for photocatalysis, current photogeneration, white luminophors and efficient fluorescence sensorics. Chemical bath deposition from aqueous solutions is an affordable method for fabrication of ZnS nanostructures and composite materials thereof. Here, the one-step route is proposed for deposition of nitrogen-doped ZnS nanoparticles, prepared formerly only via high-temperature ZnS nitridation. The nanoparticles are characterized by XRD, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopic methods. The origin, chemical state and localization of nitrogen impurity within the ZnS lattice are elucidated using quantum-chemical calculations. The emergence of nitrogen in ZnS lattice is related to NH4+ ions grabbed to the Zn sublattice from parent aqueous solution. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.