Nanowire arrays of zinc selenide with zinc blende structures have been synthesized on the zinc foil via a simple thermal evaporation route at relatively low temperature (similar to 400 degrees C) A self-catalytic liquid-solid growth is proposed for the formation of the nanowires. The nanowires are usually 50-150 nm in diameter, and several microns in length. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence spectrum from zinc blende ZnSe nanowires shows a near band edge emission band peaked at around 462 nm and a broad deep-level emission band at around 580 nm. respectively. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.