Indium tin oxide nanoparticles with shapes varying from sphere to cubic were synthesized by controlling the ratio of the concentrations of the protective polymer (PVP) to indium tin oxide precursor in their preparation by co-precipitation. Transmission electron microscopy was used to determine the size and shape. The XPS spectra of the particles revealed that the atomic ratios of In:Sn and (In + Sn):O are 10.0:1.0 and 1.01.5, respectively for both of the spheres and the cubes. X-ray diffraction study showed that these particles have the same crystalline structure. Thus, it is shown that the formation of the various shapes of the ITO particles Could be achieved by Using different ratios of protective polymer instead of varying the protective polymer or the sintering process. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.