Nano Ag/ZnO catalysts were prepared by varying load of Ag on ZnO supports using a new and very simple method. The structure of nano Ag/ZnO has been confirmed by various techniques. The Ag/ZnO with 7.4 x 10(-5) mol% of Ag has pore size distribution about 2.74 nm and this nano Ag/ZnO is found to be the best catalyst for oxidation of primary and secondary benzyl alcohols into corresponding aldehydes and ketones in oxidant-free at the atmospheric pressure. The influence of various parameters such as: solvent, base, temperature, time of reaction, etc. has been systematically studied on nano Ag/ZnO catalyst. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.