Surface property of Cd(0.5)Zn(0.5)S in basic aqueous solution was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). The surface S species at Cd(0.5)Zn(0.5)S under basic condition is substituted by O species. The surface adsorption performance of glucose and NaCl was characterized by adsorption experiment and electrophoretic analysis. Glucose is adsorbed on Cd(0.5)Zn(0.5)S via two modes. Na(+) can be also adsorbed on Cd(0.5)Zn(0.5)S. The effect of electrolyte NaCl on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over Pt/Cd(0.5)Zn(0.5)S using glucose as an electron donor has been investigated under visible light irradiation. NaCl can promote markedly the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, which is very important to practical application. The photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from 3.0 mol L(-1) NaCl saltwater increases by 77% compared to that from pure water. A possible mechanism was discussed. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.