In this paper, we report a convenient and controllable synthetic method based on a reaction in an aqueous system, which can produce CdSe nanostructures of different sizes and shapes at 180 degrees C for 12 h. SeCl4 and 3CdSO(4)center dot 8H(2)O are used as reactants in this hydrothermal method. By using appropriate surfactants and reductants as controlling reagents and also adjusting molar ratio of Cd/Se and amount of reductant, the morphology, particle size and structural phase of products can be easily controlled. Because of high yield, simple reaction apparatus, and low reaction temperature, this method will have a good prospect in future large-scale application and surely can be used to synthesize other metal selenide nanostructures. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.