Fabrication and characterization of graphene oxide/zinc oxide nanorods hybrid

► A hybrid architecture of graphene oxide (GO)-ZnO nanorods (ZNs) with ZNs attached parallel to GO sheets. ► GO-ZNs hybrid preserves the morphology and crystallinity of initial ZNs. ► Hybrid shows strong stability and reliability of the heterojunction structure. ► Hybrid exhibits electron transfer from excited ZnO to GO sheets.