CTAB(cetyltrimethylammonium bromide)-capped CdSe nanoparticles were prepared by using a 4 : 1(v/v) distilled water-isopropyl alcohol mixture. The cadmium chloride and sodium selenosulfate were used as the cadmium and selenium source. By the analysis of XRD and XPS, the resultant particle was confirmed to be cubic CdSe phase. TEM image showed CdSe nanoparticles with empty core. The CTAB-capped sample showed an maximum absorption at 418nm, blue-shifting compared with bulk CdSe, which indicated stronger quantum confinement effect compared with uncapped sample. From FT-IR analysis, it was found that the presence of the new peaks in the $850{sim}1250cm^{-1}$ range indicated the existence of chemical bonding between CTAB and surface of CdSe nanoparticles. Also TG analysis indicated that there were two weight-loss steps for the CTAB-capped CdSe nanoparticles. It was suggested that CTAB played a significant role in protecting CdSe nanoparticles.