Ag-TiO2 nanorods were synthesized via gel-sol methods. Cyclic voltammetry results showed that surface modification of TiO2 nanorods using Ag led better electrochemical activity involving fast electron transfer to electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results revealed that the increase in aspect ratio of TiO2 nanorods and surface modification resulted in synergetic effect of reduction of e(-)/h(+) recombination and charge transfer resistance. Consequently the use of Ag-TiO2 nanorods as photocatalysts exhibited significant increase in photocatalytic decomposition rate of acid red 44. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.