[en] ZnS nanocrystals are grown into the polyvinyl alcohol matrix by chemical bath deposition. XRD result of the composite film shows wurtzite structure with peaks at 2θ values of 28.5°, 47.58° and 56.39° for (002), (110) and (112) planes respectively. SEM and TEM micrographs of the films reveal formation of spherical ZnS nanoparticles. Nanostructured thin film prepared under optimum growth conditions shows bandgap value of 3.65 eV, as observed from UV–Visible transmission spectrum. Room temperature photoluminescence spectrum shows peak at 396 nm. I–V shows symmetric nonlinear behavior under illumination. Electrical conductivity shows semiconduction nature. (author)