A novel hydroxyl-promoted method, which comprises an effective coordination-catalytic step, has been successfully developed to synthesize GaN nanorods (dimensions 5-60 x 20-800 nm) on SBA-15 surface at low temperature. The crystalline perfection of GaN products can be improved by this method. The growth mechanism of the GaN nanorods is suggested. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectrum reveals an intense blue luminescence band centered at 440 nm (2.82 eV), which is believed to be associated with the synergistic effect of the defect levels. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.