Various novel ZrO2 nanostructures, such as nanorods, nanoclusters superstructures, have been prepared via a simple and mild solution-growth method using micromolecule templates. The morphology, structure, and optical properties of the nanorods and nanoclusters have been studied by SEM, XRD, FrlR, UV - vis, and PL techniques. The disparate modalities, which led to unusual properties, were derived from different nucleation of initiatory phases in the alcohol solution adding dissimilar templates. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.