Undoped and copper doped nanostructured zinc oxides were synthesized by using a series of synthetic layered material, undoped and copper doped zinc hydroxide nitrates at various molar percentages of copper (2-10) within the layers as precursors. The layered materials were heat-treated at 500 C to produce zinc oxide nanostructures with crystallite sizes in the range of 23-35 nm. Optical studies of the nanostructured copper doped zinc oxides showed the decrease in band gap with increasing content of the doping agent, copper. (C) 2011 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier BM. aid The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.