Visible-light-driven CdS/HKLBT photocatalyst was prepared by ion exchange of Cd2+ in aqueous Cd(CH3COO)(2) solutions, then by sulfurization in aqueous N2H8S solutions. The characterization by XRD, SEM, HRTEM and XRS revealed that CdS nanoparticles exist both on the surface and in the interlayer of HKLBT. The composite CdS/HKLBT showed higher photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution (504.2 mu mol/h) than that of pure CdS (187.3 mu mol/h), even than that of 0.5 wt%Pt/CdS (496.0 mu mol/h) under visible light (lambda > 400 nm) in the presence of lactic acid as sacrificial reagent. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity is attributed to the strong contact between CdS and HKLBT in CdS/HKLBT as well as the effective separation of photogenerated carrier in CdS through electron rapid injection into CB of HKLBT. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.