In　this　study,　VO2　rods　with　a　rectangular　cross-section　have　successfully　been　synthesized　using　a　simple　hydrothermal　route　in　the　absence　of　templates　or　catalysts.　The　synthesized　rods　were　characterized　by　the　X-ray　diffraction　(XRD),　scanning　electron　microscope　(SEM)　and　transmission　electron　micrographs　(TEM)　measurements.　It　was　found　that　the　rods　are　single　crystal　and　the　size　ranges　from　several　tens　nanometers　to　several　micrometers.　Furthermore,　a　possible　model,　nucleating-growing-splitting,　was　proposed　for　the　formation　of　rods　with　a　rectangular　cross-section.　©　2008　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.