In this article, influences of alkali (alkaline concentrations and alkaline sources) on phases and morphologies of Ni2+ doped In2O3 nanocrystals were systematically investigated. Various morphologies, including 0-D nanospheres, nanocubes and 1-D nanoneedles, and monopod or bipod nanorods, could be easily tuned by slightly changing alkaline concentrations and alkaline sources. Meanwhile, phase transformations, from Ni2+ doped indium oxohydroxides to related oxides, could be completely controlled by alkaline concentrations. In addition, the infrared, luminescence and magnetic properties of un-doped and Ni2+ doped In2O3 were also characterized. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.