CdS nanowires have been synthesized by a composite-hydroxide-mediated approach. The characterization of the nanowire with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy indicated a single-crystalline hexagonal structure growing along [2 (1) over bar (1) over bar 0] direction with length up to 100 mu m. The UV-visible reflection spectrum demonstrated a band gap of 2.36 eV. A strong light emission centered at 543 nm was observed under different excitation wavelengths of 300, 320,360 and 400 nm, which was further confirmed by a bright fluorescent imaging of a single CdS nanowire. The photocurrent response based on a single CdS nanowire showed distinct optical switch under the intermittent illumination of white light. The rise and decay time were less than 1.0 and 0.2 S. respectively, indicating high crystallization with fewer trap centers in the CdS nanowires. It is possible that the undesirable trapping effects on grain-boundaries for photoconductors could be avoided thanks to the single-crystalline nature of the CdS nanowires. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.