The paper describes the preparation of micropatterned zinc oxide films through a synthetic route based on the thermal degradation of metal-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels. This approach requires very simple apparatuses and involves only simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly chemicals. Highly transparent and crack free nanocrystalline films were obtained through this route. The evolution of the films during the thermal degradation and the influence of synthesis parameters on the film characteristics were investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray grazing incidence diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and micro-Raman. The response toward reducing gasses was tested at different temperatures. Finally, the micropatterning of ZnO films through soft lithography has been characterized. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.