Mesoporous ZnO were prepared using copolymer gel template of hydroxyl ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) where the latter worked as the cross-linker. The effects of molar ratio [HEMA]/[EGDMA] in copolymer on the porous structure of ZnO formed in the template gel were investigated. The results indicated that the pore size and its distribution of the mesoporous ZnO could be drastically varied by [HEMA]/[EGDMA] molar ratio which directly affects the templating gel structure. Smaller pores and narrow pore size distribution were obtained with the molar ratio increased. The formation mechanism of mesoporous structure was discussed based on these experimental results. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.