Eu3+ doped yttrium, zirconate ((Y1-xEux)(2)Zr2O7) nanocrystals were synthesized by a simple sol-gel combustion method, and characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photoluminescence spectra of (Y1-xEux)(2)Zr2O7 (x=0.005-0.15) show multi-peaks corresponding to the f-f transitions (5)Do-F-7(J) (J= 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) of Eu3+. Both the D-5(0)-F-7(1) magnetic dipole transition and the D-5(0)-F-7(2) electric dipole transition are intense and the D-5(0)-F-7(2) emissions split into several peaks depending on the doping concentration. The fine structure of the PL spectra is related to host lattice and the local situation around Eu3+. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.