With cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a soft template, magnesium borate (Mg2B2O5) one-dimensional micro/nanorods were synthesized. The products prepared in the absence of CTAB were Mg2B2O5 nanoparticals and needles. However, using CTAB as a soft template the products were Mg2B2O5 whiskers (diameter: 200 +/- 10 nm, length: 1-2 mu m). The formation mechanism was discussed. In addition, the experimental and theoretical Raman spectra of Mg2B2O5 were reported for the first time, and the possible vibrations modes of Mg2B2O5 crystals were assigned based on the calculation results. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.