ZnS nanorods array on zinc foil was prepared through a solvothermal synthesis route using zinc foil as zinc source and substrate.ZnS nanorods grew along the ［001］ direction which was perpendicular to the substrate.X-ray diffraction（XRD）and scanning electron microscope（SEM）were used to characterize the as-prepared nanorods array grown under different conditions.UV-Vis diffuse-reflectance spectra of the ZnS nanorods array were also performed by using Shimadzu UV-2550.The results showed well crystalline ZnS nanorods when temperature was 180℃，and reaction time was 8 h.The band-edge absorption of ZnS nanorods array was located at 347 nm，corresponding to the band gap of 3.47 eV.The chemical reaction mechanism of ZnS nanorods formed was discussed.