Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were successful deposited on the TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) through pulsed electrochemical deposition method. By adjusting the number of deposition cycles, the amount of Cu NPs can be controlled. Compared with pure TNAs, a new strong absorption peak appeared on Cu/TNAs under visible light region due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Cu NPs. Photoelectrochemical performance and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution characteristic of the Cu/TNAs catalysts were investigated under visible light irradiation. The novel Cu/TNAs heterogenous architectures show a stable and high photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution without the Pt co-catalyst. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.