ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by esterification reaction between zinc acetate and absolute ethanol under solvothermal conditions. The influences of reaction parameters and different surfactants on the size and morphology of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were studied. As the application of this reaction, ZnO particles were deposited on the surface of Al particles using the same solvothermal process. The deposition reaction time and amount of reactants to the distribution density of deposited ZnO nanoparticles were studied. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO/Al composite particles.