Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were spread by dropping them on hexagonal-shaped ZnO nanorods (NRs) to obtain nanocomposites. ZnO NRs were grown on a polished Ti substrate. The Ag-ZnO nanocomposites were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and optical imaging. The experimental results indicated that Ag NPs tend to aggregate at the tip of ZnO NR surfaces. Furthermore, antibacterial tests confirmed that adding Ag NPs enhances antibacterial effects. The findings regarding the distinct behaviors of Ag NPs may facilitate the development of future biomedical devices. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.