Attaching ZnO nano-structures to specific structures of ZnS has been studied with the aim of introduction the combined benefits of each entity. ZnO nano-structures self-assembled on a wurzite ZnS and ZnS: Cu,Cl (ZC) during thermal treatment owing to the high mobility of the intermediate of zinc oxy-sulfide complex. The growth of ZnO on the surface of ZnS based phosphors is known to reduce the cathodoluminescence (CL) intensity. However, the CL spectra from the ZnO/ZC indicate abnormal enhancement of blue CL emission at 440 nm caused by a secondary excitation of ZC due to the effective transfer of photons generated from ZnO. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.