One-pot synthesis of Ag/ZnO composites is described by a simple hydrothermal approach. In the reaction process, hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) can convert into ammonia and formaldehyde, which are used as a precipitant for the fabrication of ZnO and a reducing agent for the loading of metal Ag, respectively. The UV emission of ZnO is obviously enhanced by the deposition of silver islands on its surface. The photocatalytic characterization reveals that the composites behave high photocatalytic activity for a solution of rhodamine B. The influence of Ag+ ions on the morphology of ZnO is discussed. The composites are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL). (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.