Ag nanoparticle/ZnO nanorods nanocomposites derived by a seed-mediated method and their photocatalytic properties

► Hedgehog-like Ag nanoparticle/ZnO nanorods (Ag NP/ZnO NRs) core/shell nanocomposites were prepared by a seed-mediated method. ► ZnO NRs can grow directly on the surface of the Ag NPs without any other ancillary seed-assisted process. ► The volume content ratio of the Ag NPs colloids and the ZnO precursory solution is crucial for the morphology of the resulted samples. ► Both the heterostructure and the smaller size of resulted crystals contribute to the enhanced photocatalytic performance.