Well-crystalline AL(4)B(2)O(9) nanorods were synthesized by a low-heating-temperature solid-state precursor method. This process does not involve the use of metal catalyst or protective gas. The products were characterized by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed the products to possess a single phase, large surface area, narrow size distribution of 20-30 nm and lengths up to several micrometers. A self-catalytic growth mechanism of the aluminum borate nanorods is proposed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.