AbstractThe synthesis, structural characterization and optical properties of a semiconducting zinc oxide based dodecylamine surfactant, mesolamellar zinc oxide/surfactant nanocomposite (Zn‐L) are described. XRD and TEM results showed the formation of a lamellar mesostructure with two layer spacings ca. 28 Å. A red‐shift in the absorption band edge of absorption spectrum and the green light photoluminescence of the resulted nanocomposite were observed at room temperature. The red‐shift of the absorption band edge and the room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) of the Zn‐L nano‐composite might be induced by the dielectric confinement effect and the interfacial interaction between the ZnO and the surfactant, respectively. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)