Transition metal alloy NiTe nanocrystallites was prepared through hydrothermal reaction of tellurium with nickel chloride in sodium hydroxide solution in the presence of hydrazine hydrate as a reducer. Nanocrystallites with different morphologies can be obtained in the temperature range 60-250degreesC. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and ICP-Atomic emission spectroscopy. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.