A novel catalyst electrode of Au nanoparticles modified Ti microrods is synthesized through a route of hydrothermal etching and electrodeposition. As substrate, the metallic Ti microrods are in-situ etched from the Ti plate using hydrochloric acid as an etching reagent. After that, Au is prepared on the metallic Ti microrods in a form of nanoparticle by electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are conducted to investigate the structure and phase composition of the Au nano particles modified Ti microrods (Au/Ti MRs) electrode. Besides, the electrocatalytic property of the Au/Ti MRs electrode for NaBH4 oxidation is explored through chronoamperometry (CA) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In alkaline solution, the Au/Ti MRs electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic property and good stability. At 0 V, there is a current density of 12.12 mA cm(-2) on the as-prepared electrode in 2 mol L-1 NaOH and 0.1 mol L-1 NaBH4 that is twice as the current density on Au nanoparticles modified Ti plate electrode demonstrating huge potential for application in direct borohydride fuel cell. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.