Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/boehmite nanocomposite (precursor) nanofibers were formed by electrospinning using a PVA aqueous solution of dispersed boehmite nanoparticles as the spinning solution. The alumina nanofibers were obtained by calcination of the precursor nanofibers between 500 and 1200 degrees C. The specific surface area of the precursor nanofibers was around 6 m(2)/g, and that of the gamma-alumina nanofibers calcined at 500 degrees C was around 300 m(2)/g. The specific surface areas and the fiber diameters were not affected by the alumina contents in the precursors. Also, the diameter of the alumina nanofibers was not affected by the calcination temperature of the precursor nanofibers. The pore characteristics of the alumina nanofibers decreased with increased calcination temperature due to the sintering, and nonporous alpha-alumina nanofibers were obtained by calcination of the precursor nanofibers at 1200 degrees C. VC 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1774-1779, 2011