ZnO/SnO2 hetero nanotubes were fabricated by electrodeposition of ZnO nanorod arrays followed by the hydrothermal growth of SnO2. The morphologies of ZnO/SnO2 hierarchical nanostructures can be well tailored by adjusting the reaction time and pH value in the hydrothermal process. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrocatalytic activity of the samples. The results show that ZnO/SnO2 hetero nanotubes with a high electroactive surface area can significantly enhance the oxygen evolution potential and lower the phenol oxidation potential (similar to 650 mV) in comparison with the Pt (Ag/AgCl)(similar to 1000 mV) electrode, SnO2 electrode (similar to 1400 mV) and ZnO nanorods electrode (similar to 880 mV). It suggests that such ZnO/SnO2 hetero nanotubes hold great potential in electrocatalytic oxidation process. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.