Cu3V2O7(OH)(2)center dot 2H(2)O nanowires have been synthesized in high yield through a simple and facile low-temperature hydrothermal approach without any template or surfactants. XRD, TG, FE-SEM, TEM and HRTEM were used to characterize the product. The results indicated that the product consisted of wirelike crystals about 80 nm in diameter and length up to several micrometers. The formation of wirelike structure of Cu3V2O7(OH)(2)center dot 2H(2)O depended crucially on the reaction time and pH value of the precursor suspensions. The optical absorption spectrum indicates that the Cu3V2O7(OH)(2)center dot 2H(2)O nanowires have a direct band gap of 1.94 eV. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.