A hybrid nanomaterial comprising of one-dimensional W18O49 nanowires grown on two-dimensional g-C3N4 sheets was prepared by a facile solvothermal process. Photocatalytic activity of these materials for H-2 generation under visible light was evaluated. The optimum efficiency of W18O49/g-C3N4 composite photocatalyst at a mass content of 30% was up to 4.5 times as high as that of the pure g-C3N4. The significantly enhanced performance of W18O49/g-C3N4 composites was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between the interface of W18O49 nanowires and g-C3N4 sheets, involving stronger light absorption in the visible range, faster transfer and more efficient separation of the photo-generated electron-hole pairs. In short, the W18O49/g-C3N4 hybrid nanomaterial was demonstrated to be an effective photocatalyst for H-2 production. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.