Aligned ZnO nanotubes with the outer radius of about 200 nm were synthesized by a two-step approach, which involves electrospinning and sputtering techniques. The ZnO nanotubes are polycrystalline hexagonal structure, indicted by XRD and TEM analysis. The ZnO nanotubes show sensing property to H-2. The sensor response of the aligned nanotubes to 100 ppm H-2 increases from 2.3 to 3.6 with the temperature increasing from 200 to 400 degrees C. Beside, the sensor response of the ZnO nanotubes increases compared with that of the ZnO film prepared under the same condition. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.