Zr-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays (Zr-TiO2-NT) and TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2-NT) were prepared via anodic oxidation of titanium foils in ethylene glycol solution and modified by heat treatment in the presence of urea pyrolysis products at 400 degrees C. Zr doping changes the morphology of Zr-TiO2-NT and its conduction band edge shifts negatively compared with that of TiO2-NT. For the modification of Zr-TiO2-NT in the presence of urea pyrolysis products, Zr doping can not only enhance the polymerization degree of the surface-modified carbon nitride polymers but also promote the N doping. The modified TiO2-NT and Zr-TiO2-NT films exhibit significant photocurrent responses upon visible light irradiation. Zr doping improves markedly the visible-light photoelectrochemical H-2 production of the modified Zr-TiO2-NT. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.