Chalcopyrite AgInSe2 nanorods were synthesized via a convenient hydrothermal route using AgNO3, InCl3.4H(2)O, selenium powder and hydrazine hydrate as reagents at relatively low temperature. The hydrazine hydrate acting as both the reducing agent and coordinator was found to play a very important role in the formation of the rod-like morphologies of the final product. The influences of temperature and time on the formation of the target compound were investigated. Several techniques including XRD, XPS, TEM and Raman spectrum were used to characterize the products. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.