Morphology-controlled synthesis of nickel (Ni) nanocrystals has been carried out from nickel acetate tetrahydrate with 1,2-propanediol as both solvent and reductant in the presence of modifiers. The as-prepared nanostructured Ni samples have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrographs (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The presence of modifiers plays an important role in morphology-controlled synthesis of Ni nanocrystals. The modifying and stabilizing effects of single modifiers such as polyethylene glycols (PEGS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and their composites have been investigated. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.