Abstract: Methods of making iron-based ferrite nanocrystals are provided. In such methods the ferrite may include iron oxides and iron/cobalt or iron/manganese mixed salts. The method may include thermal decomposition of one or more precursors of the ferrite, consisting of an organic salt of the metal or metals constituting the ferrite of interest, comprising the operation of heating a solution comprising said precursor(s) in the presence of a surfactant and of a non-aqueous organic solvent comprising an ether, at temperature sufficient to cause thermal decomposition of said precursor, wherein the solvent may further comprise a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, liquid at temperatures above 45° C. and having a boiling point above the boiling point of the ethereal solvent.

Abstract: Methods of making iron-based ferrite nanocrystals are provided. In such methods the ferrite may include iron oxides and iron/cobalt or iron/manganese mixed salts. The method may include thermal decomposition of one or more precursors of the ferrite, consisting of an organic salt of the metal or metals constituting the ferrite of interest, comprising the operation of heating a solution comprising said precursor(s) in the presence of a surfactant and of a non-aqueous organic solvent comprising an ether, at temperature sufficient to cause thermal decomposition of said precursor, wherein the solvent may further comprise a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, liquid at temperatures above 45° C. and having a boiling point above the boiling point of the ethereal solvent.