Using ethanolamine (EA), diethanolamine (di-EA) and triethanolamine (tri-EA) as electron donors, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and decomposition of the electron donors (pollutants) over Pt/ZnIn2S4 have been investigated. The Pt was deposited on ZnIn2S4 by in situ photoreduction. The three ethanolamines improve notably photocatalytic hydrogen generation with their simultaneous degradation, and their activity order for hydrogen evolution is tri-EA >> di-EA > EA. The adsorption of these donors on ZnIn2S4 was monitored by in situ attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATRIR). The order of their adsorption intensity is EA > di-EA >> tri-EA. The activity order depends on their molecular structure and adsorption performance. The effect of concentration of the pollutants on the hydrogen generation rate is consistent with a Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model. The weak basic condition is favorable for the photocatalytic hydrogen generation. A possible reaction mechanism was discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.