Ru-bda based molecular water oxidation catalysts 1 and 2 (H(2)bda = 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid) containing a thiophene group are attached to the surfaces of electrodes by the method of electropolymerization. The Ru-bda molecular catalyst functionalized graphite carbon electrode can catalyze water oxidation efficiently under a overpotential of ca 500 mV to obtain current density of 5 mA cm(-2); and the similarly functionalized photoelectrode based on alpha-Fe2O3 (hematite) film can work as an photoanode for light driven water splitting. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.