Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets are introduced to ZnS-CdS heterostructures to improve photocatalytic hydrogen generation. ZnS and CdS nanoparticles are formed on the surface of GO nanosheets via a light irradiation-assisted method. Here, GO construct a carrier transport channel between ZnS and CdS to enhance cooperative effects. The ZnS-CdS/GO heterostructures exhibit high photocatalytic hydrogen generation rates under either UV-visible or visible light irradiation. After loading of Pt nanoparticles as co-catalysts, the photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate of the proposed heterostructures is significantly improved to as high as 1.68 mmol h(-1) under UV-visible light irradiation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.