Micrometer-length single crystalline Ag nanorods have been successfully synthesized with a high yield by a polyol process in the presence of inorganic slats. The yield always affected by the concentration of the slats and the molar ratio of capping agent (PVP; polyvinylpyrolidone) to AgNO3 precursor. Pure Ag nanorods could be obtained when the concentration of FeCl3 salt was in range of 18-27 mu M. The nanorods were teh dominant products when the molar ratio of PVP/AgNO3 was 0.4-1.8 under teh concentration of FeCl3 salt of 24 mu m. The use of other inorganic salts, such as CuCl2, CoCl2, ZnCl2 and NaCl, can induce the same results depending on the concentration of Cl- ions. The growth mechanism of Ag nanorods is briefly discussed. Crown Copyright (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.