PbCrO4 and Pb2CO5 have been selectively synthesized via a chemical gas-liquid precipitation process by adjusting the pH value. The structure, size and morphology of the as-synthesized products are characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Differences in UV-Vis spectra are related to differences in size and morphology. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.