Semiconducting ZnO nanorods were synthesized by wet-chemical approach with an alcohol solution containing zinc ions at low temperature. A novel sonochemical method had been added into the process to study the mechanism of shape-control of ID nanostructure assembly. The different solvent condition and the sonic-treating had shown clearly to have an effects on the shape control. The crystallinity and the character of the particles were described in the patterns of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.