The present study investigates the incentive studies on phase transformations of ZnO: Nb2O5 nano composite, synthesized by sol gel protocol followed by impregnation process for sensing hydrogen gas. Detailed analyses of the synthesized nanomaterials were carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Particle size analysis. The material was subjected to different annealing temperatures ranging from 400 degrees C to 800 degrees C. The XRD result revealed the formation of single phase ZnNb2O6 at 700 degrees C and above with average particle size of similar to 67 nm. ZnO: Nb2O5 based sensor has shown enhanced gas sensing properties towards 1000 ppm H-2 gas. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.