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It has been observed that wurtziteII–VI semiconducting nanobelts transform into single-crystal,periodically branched nanostructures upon heating. The mechanism ofthis novel transformation has been elucidated by heating II–VInanobelts in an environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM)in oxidizing, reducing, and inert atmospheres while observing theirstructural changes with high spatial resolution. The interplay ofsurface reconstruction of high-energy surfaces of the wurtzite phaseand environment-dependent anisotropic chemical etching of certaincrystal surfaces in the branching mechanism of nanobelts has beenobserved. Understanding of structural and chemical transformationsof materials via in situ microscopy techniques and their role in designingnew nanostructured materials is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]