The nanowires of hexagonal metal Zn were prepared in porous alumina membranes by an electrochemical deposition. Scanning electron microscope measurement shows the diameter of the nanowires is about 40 nm, in agreement with the pore diameter of the alumina membranes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates the nanowires have a hexagonal structure and texture along c direction. The high-resolution (XRD), with high-temperature attachments, was employed to examine thermal expansion of the nanowires. The results show the Zn nanowires possess smaller thermal expansion compared with the conventional bulk Zn in c-axis direction, but almost is the same in a-axis direction. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.