CdSxSe1-x (0 <= x <= 1) nanorods with diameter of 10-20 nm and length up to 100-150 nm were successfully synthesized via a solvothermal route. It was found that the CdSxSe1-x nanorods could be obtained at a temperature as low as 120 degrees C and the size distribution of the nanorods did not change with temperature and composition. A thin layer of US was detected beside the CdSxSe1-x products and proposed to act as crystal seeds in the incorporating process of CdSxSe1-x, thus decreasing the reaction temperature effectively. The exploration of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption properties of the CdSxSe1-x samples confirmed that the band gaps of the CdSxSe1-x nanocrystals could be easily tuned via the control of composition, which may indicate its wide application in many fields. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.