Micron-sized rod-like crystals of Cu2-xSe were successfully grown for the first time by a hydrothermal reaction from CuCl(2)(.)2H(2)O and Se powder at 60degreesC for 2 h. X-ray powder diffraction patterns (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that the product is cubic Cu2-xSe rod-like crystal and well crystallized. Hydrazine hydrate was used as solvent in the process and played an important role in the formation of rod-like Cu2-xSe crystals. The optical properties of Cu2-xSe, such as absorption spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and Raman spectrum are also reported for the first time. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.