Samarium hexaboride (SmB6) nanowires have been successfully fabricated with the self-catalyst method using samarium (Sm) powders and boron trichloricle (BCl3) gas mixed with hydrogen and argon. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the morphologies, structures and compositions of the samples. Our results show that the nanowires are highly crystallized, elongated preferentially in the [001] direction. Finally, the growth mechanism of SmB6 nanowires was discussed. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.