The effect of surface preparation on CdZnTe properties was investigated. Surface etching using bromine solutions enhances Te elemental composition, resulting in a Te rich surface layer that is prone to oxidize. This oxidation degrades the performance of the fabricated CZT gamma detector. Roughness results were identical for samples polished with 1 and 3 mu m and subsequently etched in 2% Br-MeOH. The optimal concentration of etching was 2% Br-MeOH. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.