Luminescence properties of nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO) colloids depend greatly on their surface properties. which are in turn largely determined by the method of preparation. ZnO nanoparticles in the size range from 3 to 9 nm were prepared by addition of (tetrameithylammonium hydroxide ((CH3)(4)NOH) to an ethanolic zinc acetate solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicate, nanocry-qalline ZnO membranes with polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. The ZnO membranes have a strong visible-emission intensity and (be intensity, depends upon hydrolysis time. The infrared spectra imply a variety of forms of zinc acetate complexes present on the surface of ZnO particles. The effect of the ZnO membrane Surface properties on photoiuminescence is discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.