Modern composite filter materials were obtained via modification of commercially available polypropylene (PP) nonwovens with particles of nanorods zinc oxide (ZnO/PP) with high aspect ratio. This modification was conducted as a three-step process consisting of a plasma treatment of the polymer nonwovens (increasing their wettability), deposition of ZnO nuclei on fibers surface and low temperature hydrothermal growth of ZnO rods. A remarkable photocatalytic initial specific activity for ZnO/PP was observed (3-fold higher than commercial ZnO) and high stability in aqueous phase phenol mineralization. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.