Inverted type-I CdS/CdSe hetero-nanostructures with various dimensionalities were controlled and synthesized through successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method by tuning the reaction temperature, core size, and shell thickness. The morphologies and crystal structures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. Hetero-nanospheres and nanotetrapods were obtained at relative high temperature and low temperature, respectively. The rod- and cone-shaped nanostructures were controlled via using different sized cores at medial growth temperature. All the hetero-nanostructures showed fine absorption and photoluminescence properties attributed to CdSe shell. The morphology evolution mechanism was also discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.