Direct Z-scheme CdO-CdS 1-dimensional nanorod arrays were constructed through a facile and simple hydrothermal process.The structure,morphology,photoelectrochemical properties and H2 evolution activity of this catalyst were investigated systematically.The morphology of the obtained nanorod is a regular hexagonal prism with 100-200 nm in diameter.The calcination temperature and time were optimized carefully to achieve the highest photoelectrochemical performance.The as-fabricated hybrid system achieved a photocurrent density up to 6.5 mA/cm2 and H2 evolution rate of 240 μmol.cm-2.h-1 at 0 V vs.Ag/AgCl,which is about 2-fold higher than that of the bare CdS nanorod arrays.The PEC performance exceeds those previously reported similar systems.A direct Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on the structure and photoelectrochemical performance characterization results,which can well explain the high separation efficiency of photoinduced carriers and the excellent redox ability.