ZnO and Pd-doped ZnO photocatalysts with different molar ratio of Pd/Zn (1/100, 2/100, 3/100 and 4/100) were prepared by a sol-gel method. The photocatalysts prepared were characterized by BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/vis diffuse reflectance (DRS) and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), respectively. The results show that doping Pd into ZnO decreases the BET surface area. The XRD spectra of the Pd-doped ZnO catalysts calcined at 773 K show only the characteristic peaks of wurtzite-type. Doping Pd into ZnO increases the absorbance of ZnO in visible region and enhances the photoinduced charge separation rate. The photocatalytic activity of Pd-doped ZnO photocatalysts for decolorization of methyl orange (MO) solution was evaluated, of all the photocatalysts prepared, the Pd-doped ZnO with 3/100 possesses the best photocatalytic activity. The results of further experiments show that increased adsorption ability of light and high separation rate of photoinduced charge carriers all play an important role in promotion of photocatalytic activity of Pd-doped ZnO nanostructure. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.