A plasma polymerization method was used to modify the surfaces of ZnO nanoparticles, and the effects of plasma surface modification on photoluminescence (PL) property of ZnO nanoparticles were studied. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed that a thin film of vinyl acetate (VAC) polymer layer (similar to 4 nm) was uniformly deposited on the surfaces of the ZnO nanoparticles. The chemical structure of the polymer layer was identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) experiments. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the ZnO nanoparticles was found to be significantly decreased by the deposited plasma films. For the particle of smaller size, the ultrathin film indicated better ultraviolet (UV) shielding ability. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.