The growth of TiO2 nanorods by a simple sputtering method is reported. Here we show that by sputtering of Ti target in argon-oxygen plasma it is possible to grow rutile core and anatase shell heterostructure TiO2 nanorods on gold (Au) coated Si(1 0 0) substrate without external heating. It seems that the nanorods grow because of the stress assisted diffusion of under-laying Au atoms into the TiO2 film followed by catalytic growth of the nanorods at the root. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.