Nanosize BPO4 was synthesized using H3BO3 and H3PO4 (85%) as raw materials under microwave irradiation. This reaction was performed at powers lower than 640 W and irradiation time ranging from 2.5 min to 5 min, which were only a fraction of the time required for conventional synthetic procedures. The structure of the as-prepared BPO4 is analogous to that of a high cristobalite. The particle sizes of the samples irradiated at 640 and 400 W range from 40 nm to 90 nm and 30 nm to 60 nm, respectively. The effects of different conditions on the experimental outcome are also discussed. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.