This paper presents the synthesis of water-dissolvable Na(2)SO(4) nanowires and nanorods by a simple chemical reaction between CuSO(4) and NaBH(4) in ethylene glycol. By adjusting the pH and the monomer concentration, the aspect ratio and size of the Na(2)SO(4) nanowires could be tuned. Na(2)SO(4) nanorods, nanowhiskers, nanowires, and submicrorods were obtained. Optimal chemical potential is believed to be the dominant driving force for the growth of Na(2)SO(4) nanowires during the synthesis. We also demonstrated the Na(2)SO(4) nanotubes obtained by the electron beam radiolysis of Na(2)SO(4) nanowires. The mechanism of selective radiolysis is also investigated.