Nearly monodisperse nanoparticles were synthesized by an environmentally benign low-temperature (140-180 degrees C) method involving pressure-induced decomposition of metal oleates in alcohol. XRD and TEM were employed in the characterization of the samples. In this study, Fe3O4, CoO, MnO, CoFe2O4, MnFe2O4, and a mixture of Ni, NiO, Ni2O3 nanoparticles, exhibiting various shapes and assemblies, were obtained. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.