A simple controllable method is reported for the coating of ZnO nanowires with Ag nanoparticles and ZnO/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite. It has been achieved through DC electrophoresis AgNO3 electrolyte and CNTs in the presence of isopropanol dispersion of ZnO nanowires. In the present work, the influence of Ag nanoparticles and CNTs on the field emission properties of the composite materials is studied. The results of this research demonstrate a remarkable enhancement of field emission current of ZnO nanowires in case of CNTs mixture and Ag nanoparticles coating. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.