One-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials

including nanowires

nanorods

nanotubes

nanobelts

nanowhiskers

etc.

have emerged as one of the research highlights due to their unique 1D structure and extensive applications in electronics

optics

catalysis

energy

environment

and medicine

etc. Borates have also attracted much concern owing to their versatile composition and novel properties as well as applications in multitudes of fields. Herein

the advances in the research focusing on the 1D nanostructured alkali/alkaline-earth metal borates are reviewed

from four aspects including fundamental thermodynamics

controllable synthesis

applications development

and engineering practice. In addition

the hydrothermal-thermal conversion (HTC) route to 1D nanostructured magnesium borates developed mainly in our group is compared with the conventional high temperature synthetic techniques such as molten salt synthesis and chemical vapor deposition

and the results show that

the HTC strategy prevails in morphology controllable synthesis and further pilot scale-up production. Finally

taking the magnesium borates nanowhiskers as an example

main challenges particularly the green hydrothermal synthesis towards corrosion bottleneck exposed in the hydrothermal mass production

as well as corresponding strategies in engineering practice are analyzed from the four aspects.