ZnO and ZnO/V3O4 nanostructured composites have been synthesized by hydrothermal method using ethylenediamine as a capping ligand. The effect of V3O4 concentrations on the functional properties of ZnO nanostructures was extensively studied. XRD analysis indicated the good crystallinity of the samples with the phases of both ZnO and V3O4. The morphology analysis showed that V3O4 nanoparticles with size of 50-120 nm were decorated on the surface of ZnO nanorods. The enhanced water purification was performed by degrading methylene blue (MB) as a model pollutant under visible light irradiation. The maximum degradation efficiency of 97% was obtained for 1 wt% of V3O4 in 16 min of visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was because of the formation of coupled ZnO/V3O4, which led the efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.