Anisometric KSr2Nb5O15 (KSN) particles were synthesized in both the KCI-SrNb2O6 system (System I) and the KCl-SrCO3-Nb2O5 system (System II). Reaction mechanisms in the two systems are proposed, respectively. In System I, pure KSN particles could not be synthesized. KSN particles, which exhibited a stepwise morphology, were always contaminated by the impurity of Sr2NbO7. In contrast, pure KSN particles were successfully synthesized in System II by controlling the ratio of SrCO3/Nb2O5 and the amount of KCl salt, which had higher aspect ratio and were more uniform in size relative to those formed in System I. The pure KSN particles were of a perfect morphology and 10-40 mu m in length x 1-2 mu m in diameter. The growth mechanism of KSN particles was interpreted as two-dimensional nucleation. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.