In the present study formation of ZnO nanoparticles was performed in the ionic liquid 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride using zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium hydroxide as reacting materials. Two different methods for the addition of sodium hydroxide were used: manual grinding and ultrasound assisted mixing. In both cases almost spherical ZnO nanoparticles were formed. In the case of ultrasound assisted growth, the effect of NaOH concentration was examined, showing that the morphology of ZnO nanoparticles is significantly affected by reagent concentration. Photoluminescence spectra of all samples exhibit a strong UV emission together with blue and green emission.