Semiconducting nanorods and nanowires were synthesized by gamma-irradiation at room temperature and the atmospheric pressure. The experiment was carried out in ethylenediamine and pyridine as solvents. Ethylenediamine and pyridine molecules were coordinated with metal ions and have an effect on the shape like nanorods and nanowires. Their crystallinity was determined with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) was used to characterize the elements. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were used to determine the diameter and the length of them. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.