The large bandgap of ZnO limits its application in photovoltaic devices, thus the semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), such as CdSe, is utilized to improve light-harvesting efficiency of solar cells. The CdSe@ZnO flower-rod core shell nanocable arrays (CSZFRs) are prepared with a simple ion exchange method from aqueous solutions. The optical absorptions of the nanocable arrays can be controllably tuned to cover almost the entire visible spectrum (>750 nm) via quantum dots (QDs) sensitized attributed to the smaller band gap of CdSe. Moreover, a typical type II band alignment enhance the separation of photogenerated charge carriers, and reduce the electron-hole recombination within CSZFRs, demonstrated by the photoluminescence (PL) quenching after the formation of CSZFR hybrid structures. In addition, the CdSe-sensitized ZnO nanostructures demonstrate broad external quantum efficiency (EQE) in the spectrum from 300 to 740 nm. Therefore, the CSZFRs nanocable heterostruture exhibits a photovoltaic performance with a higher open-circuit photovoltage (-0.93 V-Ag/AgCl) and short-circuit photocurrent (1.00 mA cm(-2)). (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.