In this paper, we designed a magnetic field (MF) induced gas-liquid interface route to synthesize magnetic Fe3O4 nanorods (NRs). The results showed that the MF can significantly affect the morphology of the particles. In this original method, only relatively inexpensive and environmental chemicals were used. The structure and morphology of the Fe3O4 NRs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry technique. The crystal growth mechanisms in the magnetic field induced process were expounded in detail. The assynthesized Fe3O4 NRs were successfully used as a catalytic carrier for the photo degradation of phenol. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.