Surface plasmon driven enhancement in UV-emission of electrochemically grown Zn1−xCdxO nanorods using Au nanoparticles

► Zn1−xCdxO (0 < x < 0.16) nanorods have been synthesized by electrodeposition. ► No mixed phases are observed up to x = 0.16. ► A bandgap tuning of 0.20 eV obtained. ► 12-Fold enhancement in the UV-emission intensity for x = 0.04 achieved.