The wurtzite-type Zn0.99-xMn0.01CuxS (x = 0, 0.003, 0.01) nanowires were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method at 180 C The structure and morphology of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), transmission election microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The results showed that both the Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions substituted for the Zn2+ sites in the host ZnS The ethylenediamine-mediated template was observed, which was used to explain the growth mechanism of the nanowires The color-tunable emission can be obtained by adjusting the concentrations of Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions The ferromagnetism was observed around room temperature Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved