Nickel oxide has been investigated for several potential applications, namely, ultraviolet detectors, electro chromic devices, displays, diodes for light emitting, transparent conductive electrode, and optoelectronic devices. These applications require an in depth analysis of nickel oxide prior to its exploration in aforementioned devices. Optical properties of materials were investigated by depositing thin film of nickel oxide on different substrates in order to understand if the choice of substrate can have effect on deducing various optical parameters and can lead to wrong conclusions. In view of this, we have investigated optical properties of nickel oxide deposited on different substrates (glass, transparent plastic, sapphire, potassium bromide, and calcium fluoride). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.