Developing high-efficiency photocatalysts for water decomposition is one of the major challenges in converting solar energy to chemical energy. In this paper, Ni(OH)(2) modified Mn0.5Cd0.5S solid solution without the use of precious metals is successfully synthesized via hydrothermal method followed by precipitation, the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution and stability of composite samples present significant improvement with respect to the pristine Mn0.5Cd0.5S. These improvements are attributed to that Mn0.5Cd0.5S CB potential (-0.7 V vs. NHE) is more negative than the potential of Ni2+/Ni (-0.23 V vs. NHE), which promotes the transfer of photo-generated electrons from Mn0.5Cd0.5S CB to Ni(OH)(2 )for H-2 production as well as partial reduction of Ni2+ to Ni-0, leaving VB holes to oxidize the sacrificial reagents. The metal Ni atoms with conductivity and Ni(OH)(2) nanoparticles not only boost the segregation and transfer of photo-induced carriers but also act as water-reduction promoter, thereby promoting the photocatalytic activity for hydrogen release. A novel visible light responsive MnxCd1-xS-based photocatalytic material promising for practical applications is provided in this subject. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.