MnS flower-like hierarchical architectures were self-assembled on the surface of porous alumina membrane (PAM) under hydrothermal condition. The diameter of MnS flower-like hierarchical architectures is about 2-4 mu m, which are composed of single-crystal nanowires with width of 70-80 nm. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrated the nanowire have preferred orientation along [1 1 0] direction. Prolonged reaction time would result in hollow spheres. Studies show that PAM and gas bubbles formed within the nanopores of PAM under hydrothermal condition play an important role in the formation process of MnS flower-like hierarchical architectures. The room-temperature PL spectrum shows a strong emission peak at 420 nm corresponding to the MnS band edge emission. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.