In-situ S-doped porous anatase TiO2 nanopillars are synthesized by a facile one-step thermal protection method. The prepared photocatalysts are characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the obtained TiO2 samples present porous nanopillar structure, which can maintain the anatase phase at 700 degrees C calcination. With the calcination temperatures increasing, the doped S atoms in the TiO2 surface decrease gradually. The TiO2 samples calcined at 700 degrees C (T700) exhibit the optimum visible-light photocatalytic activity, and 163.9 mu mol h(-1) g(-1) of H-2 evolution can be obtained. It can be attributed to the high anatase crystallinity, porous structure and S element introduction of T700. Therefore, the obtained photocatalysts will have the potential application in energy and environmental field. Copyright (c) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.