Self-assembled zinc sulfide (ZnS) of wurtzite structure nanocombs with a ZnO sheath have been grown using a simple catalyst-free thermal evaporation technique in the alumina furnace. The ZnS nanocombs are as long as to several tens of micrometers. The teeth with ZnO sheath are about 200 nm in length and 30 nm in width. The ZnO sheath is likely formed at cool-down stage due to the residual O-2. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.