Complex Mg(OH)(2) nanostructures are synthesized via a biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal route. The assynthesized Mg(OH)(2) nanostructures are dispersed into an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (AOS) copolymer by mechanical kneading, which shows an excellent flame-retardant behavior. Also we demonstrated for the first time that the complex Mg(OH)(2) nanostructures can find application in self-cleaning for its superhydrophobicity with water contact angle over 150 degrees and sliding angle of I degrees.