Nanocrystalline Bi2Te3 was synthesised via a microwave-assisted polyol method. Elemental Te and bismuth nitrate were used as Te and Bi source, respectively. The product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Xray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and transmission electron micrographs (TEM) measurements. The as-prepared Bi2Te3 was found to be the mixture of nanorods (20-50 nm in width and 200-400 nm in length) and hexagon nanoflakes (with edge length ranging from 90 to 150 nm). The possible mechanisms were also discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.