The leaf-like structure BiVO4 electrode and MFe2O4/BiVO4 (M =Ni, Co) composite photoelectrodes were prepared by electrochemical deposition, ensuing heating treatment and electrophoretic deposition technology. The characterizations of SEM, XRD and DRS indicated that the BiVO4 derivatives mainly existed in small nanoparticles with monoclinic phase and exhibited stronger light absorption capability than that of pure BiVO4. Hereon, the respective photoelectrochemical (PEC) activities of BiVO4 and its derived composites were systematically studied. The results suggested that the NiFe2O4/BiVO4 and CoFe2O4/BiVO4 not only showed higher photocurrent response values at 1.23 V vs. NHE than pure BiVO4 electrode under visible light illumination, but also played a superior PEC hydrogen evolution performance, which was considered owing to their strong absorption to light, reduction combination of carriers and effective separation of electrons and holes. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.