One-dimensional (1D) Cd2Ge2O6/CdS core-shell composites were successfully synthesized by a facile ion-exchange method at room temperature. The composition, structure and property of the 1D Cd2Ge2O6/CdS core-shell composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS). The photocatalytic activity of the 1D Cd2Ge2O6/CdS core-shell composites was evaluated on the degradation of acid red G solution. The results showed that the 1D Cd2Ge2O6/CdS core-shell composite with 12.7 wt% CdS exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity than the pure CdS under visible light irradiation. Theoretical analyses and scavenger experiment results suggested that the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the 1D Cd2Ge2O6/CdS core-shell composite was mainly attributed to the synergic effect from the well-matched band potentials and 1D core-shell structure. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.