Ni-doped ZnO rod arrays were successfully prepared on glass substrate from the aqueous solution at a temperature of 80 degrees C. The densities, diameters, and lengths of the rods can easily be well controlled through the concentrations of dopants, and the dopant Ni ions were incorporated into the wurtzite-structure of ZnO crystal. Room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of rod arrays show a strong emission band at 410 nm, and the oxygen deficiencies in ZnO structures were significantly reduced with Ni doped in ZnO rod arrays. The field dependence of magnetization measured at room temperature exhibited the obvious ferromagnetic properties. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.