One-dimensional (1D) needle-like ZnO nanowhiskers have been grown directly from aqueous solution Received 26 February 2008 containing Zn(OH)(4)(2-) ions which is produced by zinc chloride and sodium hydroxide, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Through the improved novel approach, uniform ZnO nanowhiskers with diameters ranging from 80 to 120 nm and an average length of about 4 mu m (aspect ratio similar to 40:1) were successfully prepared at a low hydrothermal temperature (85 degrees C) with a short reaction time (5 h). The nanowhiskers exhibit a perfect single crystalline wurtzite structure with [0 0 0 1] as the growth orientation. The growth mechanism, as well as the controllable factors on the crystal size and shape, is also discussed in detail. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.