Single-crystal aluminum borate nanowires (Al18B4O33) with uniform diameter distribution were synthesized by a chemical reaction of alumina with boron monoxide in the presence of a support catalyst. Three comparative experiments were carried out and demonstrated the detailed crystal growth process of the nanowires. We found that two factors, the isolated reaction area with nanometer scale and abundant local reactants at an appropriate reaction temperature, play important roles in determining the diameter, length and yield of the nanowires. The growth mechanism was also prepared. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.