Vapor condensation was performed to prepare nanostructures of copper phthalocyanine. With a lower pressure and longer evaporation duration, a fine and dense network of thin and uniform nanowires was obtained. Nanorods with tube-like branches were formed at higher working pressures. The absorption coefficients and optical band gaps of the nanostructures were derived from the UV-vis absorption spectra. After heat treatment, the amorphous nanowires were transformed into crystalline straight beta-phase nanostructures with a smooth surface. Reduced intensity of the absorption spectrum and a red shift of the optical band gap were also observed. (C) 2010 B.V. All rights reserved.