Nanoparticles co-sensitized nanorods were designed and prepared by assembled CdS and PbS nanoparticles over ZnO nanorods using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The results showed that the uniform CdS and PdS nanoparticles could be deposited on the lateral and top of the ZnO nanorods when the precursor concentration was 0.05 M and 0.02 M, respectively. Solar cells based on CdS and PbS nanoparticles sensitized ZnO nanorods arrays were assembled successfully. A cell efficiency of 0.38% was obtained in ZnO/CdS/PbS in comparison with ZnO/PbS/CdS mainly due to the stepwise band edge structure constructed in this system except the coverage density of nanoparticles. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.