Cu3BiS3 nanorods with different aspect ratios were obtained via simple ethanol-thermal reactions between CuCl2 . 2H(2)O, BiCl3 and thiourea at relatively low temperature (160degreesC, 10h). The as-prepared samples were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectra. Studies found that the solvent has great influence on the aspect ratio of as-prepared Cu3BiS3 nanorods. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.