Dumbbell-like ZnO nanoparticles-CeO2 nanorods (ZnONPs-CeO(2)NRs) composites with superior electrochemical performance were fabricated by one-pot hydrothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction, an energy dispersive spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. The ZnONPs-CeO(2)NRs nanostructure possessed larger Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface, crystallinity, lower resistance. The specific capacitance of ZnONPs-CeO(2)NRs composite (162.08 mF g 1) was higher than that of precursor CeO(2)NRs (151.43 mF g 1) in galvanostatic charge/discharge, and the super capacitor charge storage of ZnONPs-CeO(2)NRs (581.39 F g(-1)) was more 12 times than the precursor (46.63 F g(-1)). The improved electrochemical performances could be ascribed to the import of ZnONPs, which induced variations in the structure, conductivity and surface morphology. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.