In this paper, vertically aligned one-dimensional (1D) TiO2@ZnO core-shell nanorods arrays (NRs) were prepared by a facile two-step hydrothermal method. The as-prepared TiO2@ZnO nanorods arrays were used as photoanode and exhibited high photoelectrochemical water splitting performance. A maximum photocurrent density of TiO2@ZnO nanorods arrays achieves to 2.02 mA cm(-2) at 1.7 V vs. RHE, which is 2 times higher than that of pure TiO2 nanorods arrays. In addition, a significant cathodic shift in the onset potential and a stable photocurrent during 6000s measurement are observed in TiO2@ZnO nanorods arrays. TiO2@ZnO core-shell NRs electrode shows a maximal conversion efficiency of 0.48% at 0.55 V vs. RHE, which is 2.7 times higher than that of the bare TiO2 NRs electrode. The improvement of photoelectrochemical properties can be attributed to the ingenious core-shell structure that enhances the interfacial interaction based on the type II heterojunction. An efficient interfacial charge separation and photoinduced charge transfer are achieved in 1D type-II TiO2@ZnO core-shell nanorods arrays. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.