AbstractPure phase of cubic (FCC) CdO quantum dots were successfully synthesized by thermal oxidation of γ-irradiated anhydrous cadmium acetate at 400°C for three hours in the presence and absence of benzyl alcohol as surfactant-free. Morphological and structural characteristic of the as-synthesized quantum dots were performed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). SEM image of CdO quantum dots synthesized using γ-irradiated anhydrous cadmium acetate with 102 kGy absorbed dose shows the formation of the mesoporous nanostructure. In the presence of benzyl alcohol surfactant, the calcination process afforded cauliflower-like structure. TEM image of CdO quantum dots synthesized using γ-irradiated anhydrous cadmium acetate in presence of benzyl alcohol surfactant shows formation of nanoribbon of CdO quantum dots.