Er3+-doped ZrO2 nanotube arrays were prepared by anodization of Zr-Er alloy which was obtained by melting zirconium with 1.0 wt% erbium. The morphology, structure and photoluminescence properties were studied through scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence analyzer. X-ray diffraction results indicate that doping of Er3+ affects the crystal structure and grain size obviously and the Er3+-doped samples tend to form small tetragonal grains. Photoluminescence analyses show that when Er3+-doped zirconia nanotube arrays are excited at 317 nm, there are two strong photoluminescence emission peaks at 373 nm and 415 nm. When the excitation wavelength is 257 nm, a photoluminescence emission peak appears at 363 nm. Under same measurement conditions, emission peaks of the undoped ZrO2 nanotube arrays are very weak. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.