The development of highly active and resource-rich cocatalysts is important for the replacement of precious metals by the realization of large-scale and low-cost photocatalytic decomposition of water to hydrogen production. Here, we report that Ce/CoWO4 has been prepared by the microwave method and has good photocatalytic H-2 properties. Under visible light irradiation (420nm), the optimized hydrogen yield of the Ce/CoWO4 (10%) photocatalyst was 200.89 mu mol, which was three times that of CoWO4. Based on the results of photoelectrochemistry and PL measurements, it is proposed that CeO2 can not only quickly capture photo-generated electrons from excited CoWO4 to improve the efficiency of charge separation, but also promote the reduction of H+-H-2. View of its high activity, low cost and ease of preparation, the catalyst is a compound having a high application potential of the photocatalyst.Graphical Abstract The Ce/CoWO4 was successfully synthesized by the microwave method, and the composite catalyst showed excellent photocatalytic activity in the dye-sensitized system, which was about three times higher than that of CoWO4. The CeO2 on the surface of CoWO4 provided the more active sites and improved the efficiency of photo-generated charge separation. The Ce/CoWO4 composite catalyst is a highly efficient photocatalyst with potential applications. [GRAPHICS] .