We demonstrate, for the first time, the synthesis of highly ordered niobium oxynitride microcones as an attractive class of materials for visible-light-driven water splitting. As revealed by the ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), photoelectrochemical and transient photocurrent measurements, the microcones showed enhanced performance (1000% compared to mesoporous niobium oxide) as photoanodes for water splitting with remarkable stability and visible light activity. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.