Multifunctional hybrid nanostructures have recently drawn immense attention due to their interesting physical and chemical properties and also due to their potential for applications in novel electronic devices. Herein, we report the luminescence and enhancement of field emission (FE) properties of multifunctional ZnO/C hybrid nanostructures prepared by the decomposition of zinc acetate and dextrose inside the nanopores of anodic aluminium oxide templates, which are fabricated by controlled electrochemical anodization of pure aluminium. Microscopic investigations show that the average pore diameter of the as prepared templates is similar to 50 nm and ZnO/C hybrid nanostructures are formed around the inner pore walls. The template, containing the ZnO/C hybrids, exhibits visible light emission in blue wavelength region along with luminescence in the ultra-violet region. Investigations on the field emission property of the hybrid ZnO/C nanostructures reveals, that they are better and more efficient field emission material compared to one dimensional ZnO nanostructures. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.