Novel Cr2O3-ZrO2 binary oxide catalysts (CZ) were successfully prepared by simple co-precipitation method. The as-prepared nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) and N-2 adsorption. The XRD analysis indicated the formation of amorphous materials of binary oxides, at higher ZrO2 content, which exhibited significantly modified textural characteristics, as indicated by N-2 adsorption studies. The characteristics of the binary oxides were dependent on the Cr/Zr ratio. The composite with molar Zr/(Zr+Cr) ratio equals 75% (CZ75), in particular, exhibited significantly higher specific surface areas and porosity than other composites and pure oxides. The TEM images clearly illustrate how ZrO2 could control the particle size of Cr2O3 catalyst. The catalytic conversion of ethanol was studied at 200-400 degrees C. The catalytic activities exhibited by the binary oxides were significantly higher than those of the pure oxides. The total ethanol conversion (TC%) and dehydration/dehydrogenation selectivity were dependent on the Cr/Zr ratio. A CZ75 nanomaterial, treated suitably, can be used as a reusable active catalyst in the ethanol conversion. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.