ZnO nanorods (NRs) have been decorated by Au nanoparticles (NPs) by a chemical method. The ultraviolet (UV) photoresponse of Au/ZnO NRs has been investigated. As the loading of Au NPs increases, the photocurrent as well as the photo-to-dark current ratio (gain) increases attaining a maximum gain value which is similar to 15 times higher than that of the pristine ZnO NRs. Photoresponse enhancement is probably due to efficient separation of photo-generated electron-holes by an enhanced electric field and hot carrier injection over the Au localized Schottky junctions. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.