Polyamido amine dendrimer (PAMAM), synthesized from hexamethylene diamine and methyl methacrylate, was used to prepare nanocrystalline 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder. The nanocrystalline ceramic powder was characterized by XRF, XRD, TEM, SEM, particle size, surface area analyzer and ionic conductivity meter. The surface area of YSZ powder was 37 m(2)/g and crystallite size 8-10 nm. The green compact of YSZ powder was sintered at 1550 degrees C to 99.55% theoretical density (TD). (C) 2016 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.