Compound semiconductors formed from II–VI or III–VI elements are key materials in plans to harvest energy directly from sunlight in photovoltaic devices. This review summarises the recent advances in thin film deposition and nanocrystallite synthesis. Current work has significant potential for low-cost, scalable solar cells. The close interplay between the properties of the materials and their utility in solar cells is also briefly discussed.

Nano-dimensional single-crystals of Fe, Mn, Co or Ni oxides have been prepared by the decomposition of their metal acetylacetonate at elevated temperatures in hexadecylamine. The amine acts as both a solvent and the capping agent. The crystalline structure and morphology of resulting samples have been characterized by TEM, HRTEM, SAED and XRD. The nanocrystals can be dispersed in aqueous solution by overcoating the surface with amphiphilic polyelectrolytes.