A highly ordered and smooth TiO2 nanotube array with a one directional electric channel for electron's transportation was prepared to enhance the photoconversion efficiency and hydrogen evolution rate. Thus, TiO2 nanotube array was further modified by Ag nanoparticles, in order to reduce the recombination of electron-electric holes and improve the photocatalytic activity. Under the illumination of UV light, the hydrogen evolution rate can reach up to 10.69 mu mol/h and the best photoconversion efficiency of 11.68% has been obtained. The results have revealed that the prevention of electron-electric holes recombination and structural architecture of the highly ordered and smooth architecture of Ag-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays are essential to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity and hydrogen evolution. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.