Colloidal cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were formed by using a colloid-thermal synthesis process. Xray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, high-resolution TEM images, and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry profiles showed that the colloidal CuO nanoparticles were formed. The optical band-gap energy of CuO nanoparticles at 300 K, as determined from the absorbance spectrum, was 3.63 eV. A photoluminescence spectrum at 300 K showed that a dominant emission peak appeared at the blue region. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy profiles showed that the O 1s and the Cu 2p peaks corresponding to the CuO nanoparticles were observed. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.