Spinel oxide nanoparticles of MxCo2 - xMnO4 ( M = Ni, Zn, Cu;0 < x < 1) were prepared at 120 degrees C by the inorganic polycondensation method. Phase composition and microstructure of each sample powder thus obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Nanoparticles are well crystallized and uniformly distributed in both shape and size. Colloidal dispersions were stabilized in a low cost and environmentally friendly solvent solution. Spinel oxide thin films were then deposited on glass substrates by using the dip-coating technique. Their optical properties were measured in the 300-1100 nm wavelength range. Thin films show extremely good absorbance in the ultra-violet and blue regions. The highest absorbance observed in the red region was for x = 0.15 in zinc. A smaller direct band gap was determined when a low amount of doping M element was introduced in the cobalt and manganese spinel oxide material. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.