[en] The ZnAl₂O₄ is a material with high thermal stability and high mechanical strength, due to these properties is used as a catalyst or support. In this work, the zinc aluminate spinels were synthesized by microwave-hydrothermal method (HMO) in three different times (30, 60 and 120 minutes) at low temperature (180 deg C), using only Al(NO₃).9H₂O, Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O and urea as a precursors without organic solvents or templates. The X-ray diffraction showed that the ZnAl₂O₄ present a cubic structure without secondary phases. The nitrogen adsorption isotherm measurements (BET) revealed a high surface area (226.45; 241.22 and 243.49 m² .g^-1) for nanopowder synthesized in 30, 60 and 120 minutes, respectively. By using microwave hydrothermal method, it was possible synthesize zinc aluminate with high surface area, applying low temperature and short time. (author)