A two-step method to synthesize metal-semiconductor heterostructure photocatalyst is presented in this research. Based on the tetrapod-like zinc oxide (T-ZnO) deposited by thermal evaporation, Ag/T-ZnO heterostructure is synthesized by RF magnetron sputtering method in this two-step preparation technique. The structure and the photocatalytic properties of the Ag/T-ZnO were studied in detail. The A-g/T-ZnO heterostructure exhibits better photocatalytic activity than that of the pure T-ZnO and there is an optimum sputtering time and sputtering power for the heterostructure's photocatalytic activity. The essential photocatalytic mechanism of this heterostructure have been discussed and the enhanced photocatalytic activity indicates the feasibility of this novel two-step method which may be developed to a promising synthesis technique. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.