A facile sacrificial template route was introduced to prepare close CdSe nanochains by the hydrothermal method using Cd(OH)(2) as a sacrificial template and precursor. Cd(OH)(2) nanoflakes were synthesized by an alkali salt mineralizing hydrothermal process at 200 degrees C for 20 h, which was the key step in preparing the CdSe nanostructures. Subsequently, the as-prepared Cd(OH)(2) nanoflakes were converted into CdSe nanochains in Na2SeSO3 solution by hydrothermal process under through time and temperature control. The as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM and SAED. A possible explanation of the growth mechanism has been proposed. Initially, CdSe nanoparticles are presumed to nucleate on the surface of the sacrificial template of a Cd(OH)(2) nanoffake. These particles further grow and assemble into 1-D close or open CdSe nanochains on top of Cd(OH)(2) nanoflake skeleton through the Ostwald ripening process. This method is suggested as applicable to synthesizing other chalcogenide nanostructures as well. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.