Herein we report an effective novel approach to improve the photoresponse and reset times as well as the photosensitivity of the ZnO NWs heterostructure. We show that as compared to the pristine ZnO NWs, much faster photoresponse (100 ms) and enhanced (sixfolds) photosensitivity could be achieved by Al doping followed by Au NPs decoration of the ZnO NWs networks. The improvement in the photosensitivity and photoresponse time is explained on the basis of plasmon assisted electrons transfer from Au NPs to ZnO NWs and interfacial interaction with the photogenerated electrons. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.