Ag-doped ZnO nanorods were grown on stainless-steel wire meshes to fabricate the hierarchical photocatalysts with excellent visible light driven activity and anti-photocorrosion property. Effects of Ag doping and the surface structure on the surface chemistry, surface wetting properties, absorption band shift, photoelectrochemical response, and photocatalytic decolorization properties of the hierarchical photocatalysts, together with the stability of photocatalytic activity for recycled photocatalysts were investigated. Ag doping leads to red-shift in the absorption band and increased visible light absorption. Nanorods coated wire meshes hierarchical structure not only increases the surface area of photocatalysts but also makes the surface hydrophilic. The photocatalytic activity enhancement and reduced photocorrosion can be achieved because of increased surface area, enhanced hydrophilicity, and the interaction between the metal wire/ZnO and Ag/ZnO heterostructure interface which can improve the charge separation of photogenerated charge carriers. (C) 2014 Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.