Cubes of CuBr with an average dimensions of 0.3-0.8 mum have been prepared by a simple reaction between CuO suspension, NH2OH and KBr in the presence of deionized gelatin at 40degreesC. Gelatin played a decisive role as an inhibitor of the direct attack of NH2OH, KBr to CuO surfaces and coagulation of the growing CuBr in producing the cubes. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectra techniques and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The sizes of the subunits of the polycrystalline CuBr particles were estimated by Debye-Scherrer formula according to XRD spectrum. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.