ZnO nanofibers were prepared from zinc acetate/ polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by electrospun method. The morphological features, crystallinity, mechanical and optical properties of the ZnO nanofibers were studied. The results show the specific surface area of the ZnO nanofibers was influenced by the electrospun conditions. The specific surface area reached 389.7 m(2) g(-1) as the average diameter was 232 nm. The XRD date reveals the nanofibers consist of a single phase of well-crystallized ZnO with hexagonal structure. The elastic modulus of a single ZnO nanofiber was also characterized by nano-scale three-point bending test.