In this work ZnO/ZnSe composites were successfully synthesized via solvothermal method and characterized by a series of experiments for investigating into their compositions, morphologies, microstructures and the activities of photocatalytic reduction of CO2. The methanol rates of bare ZnO and ZnSe respectively were 763.9 mu mol/g(cat)/h and 503.88 mu mol/g(cat)/h. However, the sample of 3 wt% ZnO/ZnSe performed better photocatalytic activity up 1581.82 mu mol/g(cat)/h compared to bare ZnO and ZnSe. In the as-prepared photocatalyst the nanosheet of ZnSe benefited the light harvest; suitable deposition of ZnO on the ZnSe nanosheet constructed a type II heterojunction for transferring the photo-generated electron to reduce CO2. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.