TiO2 nanotube arrays co-sensitized with CdS and PbS nanoparticles (TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS) were successfully fabricated by a two-step process of anodization followed by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The CdS and PbS nanoparticles grew uniformly on the walls of the TiO2 nanotubes in sequence, and the surface morphology, structure and photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS were investigated and discussed. The results show that the co-sensitization results in an increase in the visible light adsorption, photocurrent density, and photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic activity toward degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The corresponding mechanism of the TiO2 NTs/CdS/PbS for improving the photoelectrochemical property is tentatively proposed. Co-sensitization of TiO2 NTs by two semiconductors will be an effective way for the development of other high-performance energy-providing materials. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.