MnS crystals with different morphologies such as octahedrons, cubes, sheets, spheres and nanotubes have been synthesized by a low-temperature based solvothermal process. The experimental parameters such as solvents, temperature and molar ratio of the Mn to sulfur source play crucial role in determining the morphologies and phases of the MnS crystals. All the faceted MnS crystals are of good crystal qualities as revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) study. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.