We report a facile one-step hydrothermal route for the synthesis of efficient CdS-decorated TiO2 nanorod photoanodes with the aid of glutathione (GSH). The CdS QDs are covalently linked to the surface of TiO2 nanorods through the GSH bifunctional molecule which also acts as stabilizer and sulfur source in this one-step fabrication. The results from FESEM and HRTEM images reveal that the CdS QDs are well dispersed on the surfaces of TiO2 nanorods. Surface photovoltage measurements demonstrate that the CdS QDs sensitization enhances the visible spectral absorption of TiO2 nanorod arrays, as well as their separation efficiency of photo-induced electron-hole pairs. As a result, the CdS-decorated TiO2 nanorod heterostructure shows a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.278% under illumination at 100 mW cm(-2) by employing polysulfide electrolyte. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.