Cobalt oxides nanopowders were prepared using novel cellulose assisted combustion synthesis and solution combustion synthesis techniques. The synthesis conditions were optimized to produce high surface area cobalt oxide nanopowders. Effect of precursors ratio on product properties (such as crystalline structure, nanoparticle size, surface area etc.) were studied and compared for the two methods. Thermodynamic calculations along with TGA/DTA studies were used to understand the synthesis mechanism leading to cobalt oxide formation. The synthesized nanopowders were characterized using various materials characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM and TEM. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.