Needle-like (Bi(Bi2S3)(9)I-3)(0.667) crystals have been synthesized by a polyol method at 195degreesC for the first time. X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the product, which revealed that the product consisted of needle-like crystals about 400 run in diameter and length up to 15 mum and the possible formation mechanism was also discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.