Wurtzite structured ZnS nanoribbons have been synthesized by a catalyst-free solid-vapor deposition technique. The nanoribbon has a saw-teeth shape, and the nanosaw is formed by a two-step process: a fast growth along a-axis forms the body of the saw; a subsequent growth along c-axis creates the teeth. The one-sided teeth structure is suggested to be the self-catalyzed growth of the Zn-terminated (0 0 0 1) surface, while the oxygen-terminated (0 0 0 1) surface is relatively chemically inactive. The growth of 'feather'-like structure of ZnS is also reported. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.