Methods of forming a nanocrystal

A method of producing a binary nanocrystal of the general formula M1O, wherein M1 is a metal selected from one of Group II, Group III, Group IV, Group VII and Group VIII of the Periodic System of Elements (PSE), and O is oxygen, the method comprising:

• (i) forming a homogenous reaction mixture comprising a metal precursor containing the metal M1 and an oxygen donor, and a non-polar solvent of low boiling point, and
• (ii) bringing the homogenous reaction mixture under elevated pressure to an elevated temperature suitable for forming nanocrystals.

-25. (canceled)

(canceled)

-30. (canceled)

A method of forming a ternary nanocrystal of the general formula M1M2A, wherein M1 and M2 are independent from each other a metal selected from one of Group II, Group III, Group IV, Group VII and Group VIII of the PSE, and A is an element is selected from Group VI or V of the PSE, the method comprising:

• (i) forming a homogenous reaction mixture comprising a metal precursor containing the metals M1 and M2, element A and a non-polar solvent of low boiling point, and
• (ii) bringing the homogenous reaction mixture under elevated pressure to an elevated temperature suitable for forming a nanocrystal.

A method of forming a ternary nanocrystal of the general formula M1AB, wherein M1 is a metal selected from one of Group II, Group III, Group IV, Group VII and Group VIII of the PSE, and A and B are independent from each other elements selected from Group V or Group VI of the PSE, the method comprising:

• (i) forming a homogenous reaction mixture comprising a metal precursor containing the metal M1, element A and element B, a non-polar solvent of low boiling point, and
• (ii) bringing the homogenous reaction mixture under elevated pressure to an elevated temperature suitable for forming a nanocrystal.

A method of forming a nanocrystal of the general formula M1M2O, wherein M1 and M2 are independent from each other a metal selected from one of Group II, Group III, Group IV, Group VII and Group VIII of the PSE, and O is oxygen, the method comprising:

• (i) forming a homogenous reaction mixture comprising a metal precursor containing the metals M1 and M2 and an oxygen donor, and a non-polar solvent of low boiling point, and
• (ii) bringing the homogenous reaction mixture under elevated pressure to an elevated temperature suitable for forming a nanocrystal.

-55. (canceled)

(canceled)

-61. (canceled)

A method of forming a quaternary nanocrystal of general formula M1M2AB, wherein M1 and M2 are independently a metal selected from one of Group II, Group III, Group IV, Group VII and Group VIII of the PSE, and A and B are independent from each other an element selected from Group VI or Group V of the PSE, the method comprising:

• (i) forming a homogenous reaction mixture comprising a metal precursor containing the metal M1 and the metal M2, the element A, the element B and a non-polar solvent of low boiling point, and
• (ii) bringing the homogenous reaction mixture under elevated pressure to an elevated temperature suitable for forming a nanocrystal.

-85. (canceled)

(canceled)

-92. (canceled)