<p>Commercial scale generation of diverse multipurpose ZnO nanostructures with customized properties remains complicated for various practical applications. Thus, goal of the review is to generate hybrid nanomaterials with improved characteristics that may influence the creation of more effective and efficient energy and optoelectronics devices. The fabrication and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in photodetector and solar cell applications, their synthesis and characterization on porous silicon (PS) were studied. Numerous techniques, including physical and chemical and biological ones, were used to create ZnO NPs, which were then evenly placed on PS substrates that had been electrochemically etched. High surface area and improved light trapping were supplied by the porous silicon, while ZnO NPs’ broad bandgap, superior optoelectronic qualities, and high light sensitivity were the results it provided. The synergistic impact of ZnO and PS resulted in enhanced responsivity in the UV–visible spectrum when photodetector performance was evaluated under various lighting circumstances. In comparison to traditional materials, the hybrid ZnO/PS structure demonstrated a significant improvement in light absorption and carrier collecting efficiency for solar cell applications, which led to enhanced photovoltaic performance. The findings show that ZnO NPs coated with PS have a great deal of promise to generate high-performance, cost-effective optoelectronic devices. The foundation for future ZnO/PS material optimization and integration with cutting-edge technologies for light sensing and renewable energy generation is established by this work.</p>