A novel convenient approach to fabricate ZnO@polystyrene nanohybrid coating on cotton fabrics is reported. The as-prepared core-shell nanohybrid coating was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and UV-blocking. The cotton fabrics treated in this study provided ultrahigh UV protection and superior wash fastness. Therefore, this new nanohybrid material and its synthesis method are highly potential to various functional treatments of flexible surfaces. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.