Nano-size zirconia was prepared by hydrothermal method using commercial zirconia powder. XRD study showed that the nanosize zirconia has an appreciable amount of monoclinic phase. The nano-size zirconia obtained has average particle size in the range of 24-36 nm. The SEM of nano-sized zirconia showed diminutively different morphology than the commercial one. TEM micrographs shows well-dispersed monoclinic ZrO2 nanoparticles. The UV-DRS absorption spectrum of alkali treated zirconia showed an absorption peak at 235 nm (5.3 eV). The FTIR spectrum showed the purity of treated zirconia. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.