Nano-ZrO2 aggregations were successfully layer-by-layer deposited on the wood surface by a simple mild one-pot hydrothermal method. The resulting ZrO2/wood nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that the strong hydrogen bonds between the amorphous ZrO2 and the hydroxide radicals of wood surface were formed, and the strong interaction contributed to the enhancement of the nanocomposites heat stability. Moreover, compared with the original wood, the ZrO2/wood showed more superior UV-resistant ability through a 600-h QUV accelerated aging test. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.