Novel bismuth nanotube arrays have been successfully synthesized by a solvothermal method through the reduction of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) by ethylene glycol (EG). The productions were characterized by XRD, TEM and HRTEM. The diameter of the nanotubes is about 3-6 nm and length is up to 500 nm. The possible growth mechanism of Bi nanotubes was discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.