Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) offer significant advantages over organic fluorophores; however, the cytotoxicity, complex and toxic synthesis processes, and missing colours in blue-violet range (< 490nm) are major issues for their extended in vivo bio-applications. While ZnO is a good candidate because of its wide band-gap, large exciton binding energy, bio-compatible core material, and bio-friendly synthesis processing, chemically pure ZnO colloidal nanocrystals in quantum size, with excellent optical properties, and bio-compatible surface functionalities are not yet available. In this research, colloidal ZnO nanocrystals were synthesized by a bio-friendly soft chemical method. The controlled particle size and size stability were obtained by proper precursor concentration, reaction temperature and time, and unique surface capping agents. Bandgap modifications were achieved by doping the ZnO nanocrystals with Co 2+ ,