A synthesized photoelectrode TiO₂/Au/PTh was applied in photoelectrochemical water splitting and provided H₂ production rate for the first time.

Au nanoparticles play a role as both cocatalyst and electronic transmission carrier, because of its Plasmon effect and electronic transmission capability.

Many results like photoelectric response, conversion efficiency, photovoltage decay and so on have effectively prove the advantage of the ternary structure.