The invention relates to a method for producing a metal chalcogenide thin film electrode, comprising the steps: (a) contacting a metal or metal oxide with an elementary halogen in a non-aqueous solvent, producing a metal halide compound in the solution, (b) applying a negative electric voltage to an electrically conducting or semiconducting substrate which is in contact with the solution from step (a), and (c) during and/or after step (b) contacting the substrate with an elementary chalcogen forming a metal chalcogenide layer on the substrate. The invention also relates to a metal chalcogenide thin film electrode which can be produced by the method and its use as an anode for releasing oxygen during (photo)electrochemical water splitting.