Embodiments of the invention provide a method of making non-spherical nanoparticles that includes (a) combining a source of a Group 12, 13, 14, or 15 metal or metalloid; a source of a Group 15 or 16 element; and a source of a quaternary ammonium compound or phosphonium compound; and (b) isolating non-spherical nanoparticles from the resulting reaction mixture. Other embodiments of the invention provide non-spherical nanoparticle compositions, that are the reaction product of a source of a Group 12, 13, 14, or 15 metal or metalloid; a source of a Group 15 or 16 element; and a source of a quaternary ammonium compound or phosphonium compound; wherein nanoparticle tetrapods comprise 75-100 number percent of the nanoparticle products.