ZnO nanorods were rapidly synthesized by the simple one-step room-temperature solid-state chemical reaction between zinc salts and alkali in the presence of a suitable surfactant or organic reagent. The function of surfactant or organic reagent for the growth of nanomaterials in solid-state chemical reaction was discussed in detailed. It was found that the morphology of solid-state product can be controlled by the molecular structure of the added surfactant or organic reagent. The linear surfactant or organic reagent can act as the inducing agent to control the one-dimensional directed growth of products and form one-dimensional nanorods. The sensors based on ZnO nanorods have good hydrogen sulfide gas-sensing property at relatively low working temperature of 190 degrees C, which makes as-prepared ZnO nanorods ideal candidates for hydrogen sulfide gas-sensing devices. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.