ZnO powders with various size scales (mean diameter size: 10, 50, 200 and 1000 nm) have been prepared by two different preparation methods, thermal evaporation method and chemical deposition method, and examined as photocatalysts for the UV-induced degradation of methyl orange in water solution. ZnO nanoparticle with diameter size 50 nm prepared by thermal evaporation method showed the highest photocatalytic activity. In addition, the tetrapod ZnO nanopowders had the higher efficiency than irregular ZnO particles. However, the smallest 10 nm ZnO nanoparticle prepared by chemical deposition method indicated the lower efficiency contrast to 200 nm ZnO powders prepared by thermal evaporation method. The results indicated preparation method was the decisive factor rather than size and morphology. Moreover, the effect of catalyst loading, pH value and the initial dye concentration on the final degradation efficiency were discussed through the photocatalytic experiments using 50 nm ZnO nanoparticle as photocatalyst. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.