Zinc oxide was prepared by different methods by varying precipitating agents, the source of the salt precursors and the microwave irradiation time and was characterized by XRD, BET-surface area, surface acidity and crystallite sizes. The photocatalytic reactions were carried out under solar radiation in batch reactors towards oxidation of 4-nitrophenol and reduction of Cr(VI) by varying different parameters such as irradiation time. pH of the solution. catalyst amount and Substrate concentration and the activities were correlated with the physico-chemical parameters. Zinc oxide samples prepared by microwave irradiation and calcined at 300 degrees C exhibit highest surface area, acid sites and lowest crystallite sizes and show highest activity towards photocatalytic reactions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.