Both sonochemical and microwave-assisted solution-phase routes to the fabrication of linked ZnO rods have been developed. The two methods do not need templates, seeds or surfactants and are suitable for large-scale production. Linked ZnO rods with various morphologies such as bipods, tripods, tetrapods have been prepared. ZnO rods grow along [000 1] direction and the formation of linked ZnO rods may be controlled by the oriented attachment mechanism. The influence of the irradiation time, reactant concentration and reactant molar ratio on the formation of linked ZnO rods were investigated. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SEAD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used for the characterization of the as-prepared products. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of linked ZnO rods was also investigated at room temperature. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.