ZnO-SiO2 core-shell nanorod composite: Microstructure, emission and photoconductivity properties

► ZnO-SiO2 core-shell nanorod composite has been synthesized by a simple chemical process. ► The UV emission intensity becomes the maximum for the five times coated NRs and thereafter its drops. ► The composite with the five times shell coating shows about one order increase in the UV sensitivity. ► ZnO-SiO2 core-shell composite nanorods might be promising for UV emitter and photodetectors.