Unusual rod-shaped aggregation has been observed in acetonitrile-benzonitrile solvent mixtures. C-70 remains as monomers, small aggregates and large rod-shaped aggregates in acetonitrile compositions of similar to75%, respectively. The transition of the small aggregates into large rod-shaped aggregates is unique for C70, as its analogue, C-60, is known to form only small spherical aggregates under similar conditions. The rod-shaped C70 aggregates could be easily separated from the solution and can be dispersed in different polar solvents including water. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.