CdS nanowires have been synthesized by the thermal treatment of Cd2+-dispersed polyacrylamide (PAA) with ethylenediamine solution of thiourea in a sealed system at 170 degreesC for 4 days. A chemical solution transport (CST) growth has been proposed for the formation of CdS nanowires from the solution phase. In the growth process, PAA layers overcoat the nanowires, which serve to terminate the growth in the lateral direction. Consequently, continuous single-crystalline nanowires with great aspect ratios and smooth morphology were obtained.