ZnO nanotube arrays were synthesized by the electrodeposition method and Cu2O microcrystals with two kinds of morphologies were deposited on ZnO nanotube arrays successfully. At the deposition potential of -0.5 or -0.7 V, the cubic or spherical Cu2O microcrystals were selectively deposited on ZnO nanotube arrays. By adjusting the deposition time, Cu2O microcrystals with different sizes were obtained. The optical properties and photo-electrochemical performance of ZnO/Cu2O were measured. The results showed that the as-prepared ZnO/Cu2O heterojunction exhibited improved visible light absorption and enhanced photocurrent due to the excellent ability of Cu2O microcrystals for harvesting visible light, and the effective separation and transfer of photo-generated electrons and holes owing to p-n junction between ZnO and Cu2O. The experimental results demonstrate that the photo-electrochemical performance of ZnO/Cu2O heterojunction nanotube arrays can be manipulated by controlling the morphology and the size of Cu2O microcrystals. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.