Titania nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning and characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanofibers were annealed to 773 K to achieve the anatase titania crystal structure. and to 1173 K to obtain the rutile phase. In order to create erbia-containing titania nanofibers. erbium (III) oxide particles were added to the pre-cursor solution before electrospinning. After pyrolysis the titania nanofibers supported and encapsulated the erbia particles. Temperature-dependent near-infrared emission spectra demonstrate that the erbia-containing nanofibers emit selectively in the range 6000-7000 cm(-1). Because of their large surface to volume ratios and narrow-band optical emission, these nanofibers can be used as selective emitters for thermophotovoltaic applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.