Hydrothermal growth, crystal chemistry and catodoluminescence of ZnO single crystals were studied. Zinc oxide was grown as bulk crystals so as crystalline films and powders with different form-factors (size and shape of the particles). The dependence of form-factor on the growth conditions was studied. Growth morphology and spectra of impulse cathodoluminescence (ICL) were analysed for the samples depending on growth conditions. Two emission bands were registered in ICL-spectra with band lengths similar to 385 and 600 nm. The shift of the band in visible part of spectrum (VIS-band) was found depending on KOH concentration in starting solutions. (c) 2006 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.