CdS nanocrystals with a beltlike morphology were prepared via a low-temperature solvothermal route in ethylenediamine. The obtained nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopic, ultraviolet-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. In the mixed solvents of ethylenediamine and distilled water, CdS nanocrystals with various morphologies were obtained with the change of the volume ratio of the two constituents. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.