Single crystalline In2O3 nanowires (InONWs) have been synthesized by carbothermal reduction reaction between indium oxide and active carbons at 980 degreesC in flowing nitrogen atmosphere. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image shows the formation of the nanowires at a diameter of about 20-200 nm and a length of up to hundreds of micrometers. The nanowires can emit stable and high brightness blue light at 416 and 435 nm under excitation at 260 nm. The growth process of the nanowires may be explained by vapor-solid mechanism. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.