A novel route for the preparation of Na2Ti6O13 nanobelts by mechanochemical treatment of the TiCl4-Na2SO4 center dot 10H(2)O-Na2CO3 mixture for 5 min followed by molten salt synthesis is described. The mixture of the amorphous TiO2 and NaCl-Na2SO4 center dot xH(2)O-Na2CO3 salt matrix was generated during milling. The molten salt synthesis of the Na2Ti5O13 nanobelts with lengths up to 0.5-2 mu m and with a width in the range of 20-250 nm was carried out in the temperature range of 700-800 degrees C for 1 h. The partial formation of titanate nanotubes was observed after annealing at 600 degrees C and washing procedure. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used to characterize the formation and structure of Na2Ti5O13 nanobelts. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.