  ZrO$_2$ nanotubular arrays with intrinsic defects are a promising solid-state
basis for the development of devices for detecting, storing, and converting
energy. Layers of the self-ordered zirconia nanotubes of 5 $\mu$m length and 30
nm diameter, containing oxygen vacancies and their complexes, have been
synthesized by anodic oxidation. The spectrally resolved TSL (thermally
stimulated luminescence) above room temperature for the samples exposed by
UV-irradiation with an energy of 4.1 eV have been studied. Two emission bands
with maxima near 2.5 and 2.8 eV, associated with radiative relaxation of T and
F+ centers, respectively, have been found. An analysis of the measured glow
curves within the framework of general order kinetics established the presence
of four TSL peaks caused by charge carriers traps with activation energies of
0.7 - 0.8 eV. A band diagram is proposed to explain the role of optically
active centers based on electron (vacancies in positions of three- and
four-coordinated oxygen) and hole (interstitial oxygen ions) traps in observed
TSL processes during the irradiation and the followed heating of
anion-deficient ZrO$_2$ nanotubes.
