Porous　hematite　photoanodes　with　wormlike　networks　were　prepared　by　microwave-assisted　rapid　annealing　of　β-FeOOH　grown　directly　on　a　FTO　glass.　The　enhanced　electrochemical　characteristics　such　as　large　surface　area　and　good　permeation　of　an　electrolyte　lead　to　the　excellent　photoelectrochemical　performance　toward　the　solar-driven　water　splitting　for　hydrogen　production.　©　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.