ZnO nanoparticles with mean size of 3.9-7 nm were grown from zinc ketoacidoximate by injection of this single source precursor into solvent at different temperatures. The nanocrystal growth mechanism and properties were studied. Nanocrystal size increases with an increase in growth temperature, but increases very slowly with growth time increasing. Ostwald ripening occurs during nanocrystal growth. Morphology of nanocrystals is almost spherical with a hexagonal structure. Photoluminescence of the nanocrystals consists of exciton luminescence and luminescence related to deep level defects. Luminescence of excitons is dominant in all nanocrystals except those grown at 110 degrees C. With the increase of growth temperature and growth time, the relative intensity of exciton emission increases. Dependence of the lowest exciton state energy on nanocrystal size in this region can be described by Kayanuma mode. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.