Hematite Fe2O3 nanotubes were successfully synthesized by a multistep ac electro-deposition on anodic aluminum oxide templates remaining the barrier layers. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and magnetic measurements were used to characterize the morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of alpha-Fe2O3 nanotubes. Based on the characterization results, a self-assemble mechanism for electro-deposition alpha-Fe2O3 nanotubes was proposed. The magnetic property investigation showed that hematite Fe2O3 nanotubes exhibit ferromagnetic behavior with the Morin transition. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.