Sb2Se3 nanoribbons have been prepared by a bydrothermal process at 180degreesC for 20h. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that the product was orthorbombic Sb2Se3 phase with lattice constants a = 11.747, b = 11.799 and c = 3.987 Angstrom. Field emission scanning electron microscope images show that nanoribbons have diameters in the range of 25-100 nm and lengths up to 30 mum. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy image reveals that the nanoribbon was of single crystal and grew along the [0 0 1] direction. The peak of absorption appeared at 727 nm in the UV-vis spectrum. A possible mechanism on the formation of the nanostructures was also discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.