In this paper, we report the large-scale synthesis of Sb2E3 (E = S, Se) nanowires via a rapid ethylenediamine-assisted polyol route. By refluxing SbCl3 with elemental E (E S, Se) in ethylenediamine-diethylene glycol solution at 200degreesC, nanowires of Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 can be obtained in only 1.5h. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectrum. It was found that the addition of ethylenediamine is of great importance on the purities and morphologies of the final products. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.