Abstract: A new octa-coordinated metallo-organic complex of zirconium (IV) [(CH3COCHCOCH3)2Zr{C6H4(N=CHC6H4O)2}] was synthesized quantitatively by treating Zr(OPri)4·PriOH with CH3COCH2COCH3 and tetradentate Schiff’s base ligand (L) [where L = {C6H4(N=CHC6H4OH)2}] in 1:2:1 stoichiometry in anhydrous refluxing toluene. The yellow solid complex was characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–visible, fluorescence and NMR (1H and 13C) spectra as well as by single-crystal XRD. The complex was processed to obtain nano-structured zirconia (ZrO2) by sol–gel technique, and oxide ceramic was subjected to powder XRD, TEM and EDX analyses. Further, the same zirconia was employed in preparing superhydrophobic PVDF–nano-ZrO2 composite coatings by spray coating method, and the effect of nano-oxide ceramic on the wettability of PVDF–nano-ZrO2 composite coatings was studied systematically. The composite material was also characterized by FTIR and powder XRD. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York.