High length to diameter ratio Co nanorods were synthesized by carboxyl-assisted on GO. (101) facet Co nanorods exhibited higher surface energy of (101) facets (2.61 J/m2). Co nanorods showed very low over-potential for proton reduction. Co nanorods co-catalyst showed very high photocatalytic activity for H2 generation. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of Co nanorods catalyst achieved 17.4% at 520 nm.