A simple vapour deposition technique was used to prepare WO3 one-dimensional nanostructures. WO3 is sublimated at a relatively low temperature (550 degrees C) in air at atmospheric pressure. The sublimated species are condensed on mica substrate at 500 C. Single crystalline nanorods are grown in epitaxy on the mica surface with a growth axis along [010] directions and (001) plane parallel to the substrate. A growth process is proposed in which the formation of a one-dimensional tetragonal tungsten bronze as precursor is the determining factor. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.