Zirconium phosphate (ZP) nanoparticles as an effective, eco-friendly and recoverable solid acid catalyst were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), zirconyl chloride and phosphoric acid through precipitation. After calcinations of PVA/ZP at 550 °C for 4 h, pure ZP nanoparticles with hexagonal shape were obtained. H-bonds between ZP and PVA along polymer chains play an important role in the dispersion of in situ formed ZP. The catalysts were characterized by several instrumental techniques such as BET, ICP-OES, XRD, FT-IR, SEM and TEM. TPD-NH3 analysis suggests the presence of reasonable amount of BrÖnsted acid sites. The acidic properties were studied in synthesis of some fine chemicals.