Rod-like PbS nanocrystals were synthesized via a novel biphasic solvothermal interface reaction route at 140-160degreesC. The as-prepared nanorods have diameters of 30-160 nm and lengths of up to several micrometers, which yield typical aspect ratios of 10-70. The possible mechanism is briefly discussed for the growth of the rod-shaped PbS nanocrystals. The observations of transmission electron microscopy are in good agreement with the proposed template-aggregation-growth mechanism for PbS nanorods. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.