Large amounts of single crystalline Cr2O3 nanowires/nanobelts were obtained using CrCl3 assistant synthesis method. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results showed the nanowire/nanobelt morphology of the product. X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy illustrated the formation of the alumina phase Cr2O3 nanowires/nanobelts. A new growth mechanism of the nanowires/nanobelts is proposed and discussed. Zero field and field cooled temperature dependence of magnetization measurements of the nanowires/nanobelts showed clear decrease of the Nel temperature compared to their bulk forms, which is attributed to size and surface effect of the Cr2O3 nanowires/nanobelts. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.