By carrying out the reaction of Ga2O3 powder with carbon nanotubes around 1100degreesC, nanowires, nanobelts and nanosheets of Ga2O3 have been obtained, the diameter and proportion of the nanowires depending on the flow rate of argon through the reaction zone. Reaction of Ga2O3 powder with activated carbon mainly gives rise to nanosheets and nanorods. The procedures employed in this study are attractive since they give high yields of nanowires and nanobelts. The nanowires are single crystalline with the growth direction perpendicular to the ((1) over bar 02) planes. The Ga2O3 nanowires exhibit good photoluminescence characteristics. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.