Submicrometre particles have been prepared from hydrolysis-polycondensation of zirconium alkoxide [Zr(n-C3H7O)(4)] in ethanolic solution. The properties of these particles (morphology, specific surface area, S-BET, crystal phase and size distribution) after calcination at 450 degrees C for 5 h were found to depend on the conditions of synthesis, i.e. alkoxide concentration and mole ratio water/alkoxide.