Nano-sized ZrO2/Cr2O3/carbon clusters composite materials were successfully obtained by the microwave-irradiated calcinations of a Zr(acac)(4)/Cr(acac)(3)/epoxy resin complex. The compositions of the resulting composite materials were determined using ICP, elemental analysis and Surface characterization by XRD, SEM and TEM. The UV-Vis spectra of the composites were also obtained. ESR spectral examinations of the composites indicate that an electron transfer takes place in the process Cr2O3 -> carbon clusters -> ZrO2. The composite materials have been found to show visible light-responsive catalytic activities. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.