The preparation of nano- and submicrometre-sized one-dimensional (1D) zinc oxides (ZnOs) from zinc nitrate was performed by precipitation with urea in two types of solvents (water and water/polyol mixtures). The influence of different polyols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol) on the size of the final particles (length and diameter) is presented for the first time. As well as the influence of the solvents used, the ratio of water/polyol, temperature, pH and time of synthesis was correlated with the size and morphology of the final particles. In all cases crystalline ZnO was synthesized in the form of hexagonal bipods. The morphological and crystalline properties of the samples obtained were characterized by SEM, IR, and XRD. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.