A simple and efficient combustion method was used to synthesize undoped ZnO and europium (Eu3+) doped ZnO or ZnO:Eu3+ nanophosphors (NPr). The X-ray diffraction pattern shows that the ZnO:Eu3+ consists of a single phase wurtzite structure. The X-ray photoelectron spectra suggest that there were Eu3+ ions present in the matrix of the sample at the lower concentration of Eu3+ and confirmed the formation of Eu2O3 at higher doping concentrations. ZnO native defect and Eu3+ f-f transition related emissions were observed under excitation by a 325 nm He-Cd laser. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Omega(t) (t = 2, 4)) were estimated from the photoluminescence data. The value of Omega(2) at higher doping concentration (5 and 6 mol% of Eu3+) was found to be higher than Omega(4), pointing to more covalency and asymmetricity of Eu3+ ions with ligands in the ZnO host. These ZnO:Eu3+ NPrs have the potential for applications as source of red light in light emitting devices. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.