In this paper, lead iodide and lead oxide iodide crystalline films/crystals with various micro/nano-morphologies were synthesized by taking 7 advantage of simple hydrothermal/solvothermal reactions between lead foil and element iodine under different conditions. The resulting products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the morphologies of the resulting thin films/crystals could be well controlled by the adjustment of several parameters including iodine concentration, reaction time, temperature and reaction solvents. Possible growth mechanisms of the lead iodide crystalline compounds were also discussed. The present research work may provide new insights into the morphology-controlled synthesis of metal iodide as well as other inorganic materials. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.