The aim of this work was to synthesise different nanostructures of zinc oxide supported on a stainless steel wire mesh, using hydrothermal processes in which several conditions were applied. The effect of the different synthesis parameters on the final properties of the samples (yield and geometrical dimensions) were analysed and discussed. The ZnO nanomaterials obtained exhibit a homogeneous distribution over the metallic wire mesh, with mass yields in the range of 3-30 wt.%, a prismatic morphology with a hexagonal cross-section, lengths between 700 nm and 6 mu m and widths in the 70 nm-2.3 mu m range. These nanomaterials are intended to be applied in photocatalytic reactions and as catalyst supports. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.