Sol-gel synthesis and characterization of unexpected rod-like crystal fibers based on SiO2-(1-x)CaO-xSrO-P2O5 dried-gel

► Sr presents significant effect, which control growth orientation and morphology. ► Sr0 totally takes amorphous state indicative of internal disorder and glassy nature. ► After further addition of Sr, crystallite phases as Sr compounds were observed. ► Sr100 shows the most crystalline phases and unexpected rod-like crystal fibers.