Hydrophobic quaternary AgInZn7S9 nanorods with good visible-light response prepared via high-temperature pyrolysis method were transferred into aqueous solutions by inserting surfactants into their hydrophobic ligand layer for improved photocatalytic H-2 production. Photocatalytic H-2 evolution tests of AgInZn7S9 nanorods showed that the surfactants on their surfaces have a significant effect on their H-2 evolution activities. Specifically, anionic surfactants can promote H-2 evolution by enriching protons on the surface of AgInZn7S9 nanorods. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.