The nanotubes of zinc borate (ZnB4O7) were first synthesized by simple sintering of mixed powders contained Zn nanoparticles and B2O3 in the presence of Ag catalysts in argon gas. The nanotubes of ZnB4O7 have a diameter of several tens of nanometers and a length of several tens of micrometers. The curved-sheet quasi-template growth mechanism for the formation of ZnB4O7 nanotubes was discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses demonstrated the ZnB4O7 nanostructures and morphology. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.