Nanocrystalline Zr1-xZnxO2-x+delta (x = 0, 0.20, 1.00) powders were synthesized by glycine nitrate process route and the Zr0.80Zn0.2O1.90+delta powders were calcined in the temperature range between 500 and 800 degrees C. An intense UV emission band centered at 382 nm with excitation at 292 nm has been observed in Zr0.80Zn0.20O1.80+delta powders calcined at 600 degrees C, and X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the powders exhibit a single phase with cubic ZrO2 structure with the average grain size is about 7 nm. According to the results of photoluminescence and annealing experiments in different atmospheres, it can be proposed that the intense UV emission band is related to the defect states involving oxygen vacancies. Compared with pure ZrO2, the incorporation of Zn2+ ions enhances UV emission intensity. Our experimental results also show that photoluminescence intensity depends on the concentration of defects and the peak position is related to the crystal phase structure. The novel strong UV emission properties of this material may be very interesting for further application. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.