A stable aqueous solution, well-compatible with the template material, was developed with interest to synthesize densely packed arrays of pure phase Bi-0 nanowires (nws) in micrometer length using various alumina templates and a simple alternating current (ac) deposition protocol. Structural, morphological and optical features exhibited by Bi-0 nw arrays were studied ex-situ for several alumina templates with average empty set(pore) from 10 to 100 nm. The blue-shift effect in the absorption energy of the Bi-0 nw arrays with decrease in empty set(Bi) is demonstrated. Cyclic voltammograms recorded in-situ in the studied solution for polycrystalline Au, Pt, Bi and nano-Bi-0/alumina electrodes are also presented, composed and discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.