Thin film Fe2O3 photoanodes deposited onto conducting glass substrates were employed for the light-induced splitting of water. The effects of the employed precursor (inorganic or co-ordination compounds), dopants (Ti(IV) and Al(III)) and preparation conditions upon photoelectrochemical characteristics of the films are discussed. A photoelectrolysis cell including an arrangement of three thin film Fe2O3 photoanodes placed one behind another is shown to improve considerably the light harvesting efficiency. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.