AuPd　alloy　nanoparticles　(NPs)　on　ZnO　nanorod　arrays　were　synthesized　by　a　facile　physical　vapor　deposition　(PVD)　method　-　sputtering.　The　AuPd/ZnO　heterostructures　can　be　controlled　by　varying　the　sputtering　time.　Various　spectroscopic　and　microscopic　techniques　were　employed　to　characterize　the　nanocomposites.　Surface　enhanced　Raman　scattering　(SERS)　experiments　showed　that　the　nanocomposites　possess　excellent　molecule　sensing　ability.　Owing　to　the　surface　plasmon　resonance　(SPR)　of　noble　metal　nanostructures　and　the　synergetic　effect　between　AuPd　alloy　nanoparticles　and　ZnO　nanorods,　the　AuPd/ZnO　nanocomposites　hold　promise　in　molecule　detection　applications.　(C)　2018　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.