Cd(OH)(2) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized on graphite treated with plasma through electrochemical deposition in a solution of CdF2 saturated with O-2. Cd(OH)(2) NPs were formed from reaction of Cd2+ in solution with OH- generated on the graphite after reduction of O-2. The Cd(OH)(2) NPs were densely distributed on the surface and converted to form hollow CdS NPs via a thermal reaction with H2S at 300 degrees C. The resulting Cd(OH)(2) and CdS NPs were characterized with measurements of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The latter results showed that the Cd(OH)(2) and CdS NPs exhibited hexagonal and cubic crystalline structures, respectively. The photoluminescence of CdS NP showed a direct band at 2.47 eV and an indirect band at similar to 1.67 eV. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.