Ni-doped stainless steel@ZnS core-shell wire mesh photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production was prepared by a solvothermal method. Effects of wire mesh density, doping, and surface texture on the photocatalytic activity were studied. The photocatalytic activity of the catalyst was evaluated by splitting Na2S/Na2SO3 solution into H-2. The effects of surface texture and doping on the surface wettability and photocatalytic activity were investigated. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis and Ni mapping images indicated that a small amount of Ni is loaded on the ZnS. The highest hydrogen evolution is obtained for the Ni-doped core-shell photocatalyst when ZnS is grown on wire mesh substrate (distance between adjacent wires = 60 mu m) with precursor solution (Ni(CH3COO)(2)/Zn(CH3COO)(2) = 1%) by a solvothermal reaction for 0.5 h. The enhanced performance results from enhanced separation of the photoinduced carriers by Ni-doping, and effective contact among sacrificial aqueous solution and the ZnS shell. Photocatalytic activity and photocurrent of three repeated tests of recycled photocatalysts were also investigated. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.