Single crystalline Cr2O3 nanowires/nanobelts: CrCl3 assistant synthesis and novel magnetic properties

► Single crystalline Cr2O3 nanobelts/nanowires were synthesized in a short time. ► The growth started from Cr foil in the assistance of CrCl3. ► The corrosion of Cr foil in Cl2 was found to be crucial to the growth. ► The Néel temperature of the Cr2O3 nanobelts/nanowires decreases to 150 K.