Zinc silicate was synthesized hydrothermally from zinc acetate and tetraethyl orthosilicate or sodium silicate. The possible lowest synthetic temperature and reaction parameters determining the morphology of the products were discussed. High base concentration favors the red formation. XRD, TEM were used to characterized the products. Green and red photoluminescence were observed by the doping of Mn(2+) or Eu(3+), respectively. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.