HfO2 nanoparticles (HfO2 NPs) with different precursors (NaOH, H2O, ethanol) were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method. FTIR and EDX spectroscopy analysis shows the Stoichiometries composition of HfO2 NPs. X-ray diffraction pattern analysis revealed that the as prepared and calcined HfO2 NPs are respectively amorphous and polycrystalline nature. TEM analysis confirms that the morphology of the calcined HfO2 NPs is spherical in shape with less agglomeration. The crystallite size was evaluated to be 51 nm, 37 nm and 30 nm respectively, for the precursors NaOH, H2O and ethanol used for HfO2 NPs. SEM analysis shows spherical, rock and sponge like surface morphology respectively, for the precursors NaOH, H2O and ethanol used for HfO2 NPs. UV-visible spectroscopy analysis revealed that the optical band gap energy of NaOH, H2O and ethanol precursors used HfO2 NPs were respectively 5.50 eV, 5.52 eV and 5.50 eV. The observed optical properties indicated the feasibility of utilizing these NPs as anti reflection layers in solar cells and for the construction of poultry farms to save energy. The estimated dielectric constant value indicated that these NPs could be used to prepare dielectric layers in thin film transistor. (C) 2017 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.