Straight single-crystal ZnO nanorods are prepared in large quantities at low temperature by using zinc acetate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as precursors. The reaction is conducted at 573 K for 24 h under an air atmosphere. Highly straight ZnO nanorods with 50-nm diameter are produced. X-ray diffraction measurements show that the crystallographic phase of these ZnO nanorods belongs to Wurtzite-type (SG: P63mc). The well-faceted hexagonal nanorod tips grow in the <0001> direction, as detected by SEM and HRTEM. Comparison of the amount of ZnO nanorods prepared in the presence or absence of PVP reveals that PVP plays an important role in preparing large quantities of ZnO nanorods. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.