In this work, a noble-metal-free homogeneous system was constructed in one step with Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM) SiW12O404- as a catalyst, Eosin Y as a photosensitizer, and triethanolamine (TEOA) as a sacrificial electron donor for water splitting to produce hydrogen under visible-light irradiation. A two-electron reduced heteropoly blue SiW12O406- is produced by photosensitization under visible light irradiation. The effect of various component concentrations and POMs with different central atoms (PW12O403-, GeW12O404-, etc.) on hydrogen production was discussed. This simple system made of earth abundant elements is expected to contribute toward the development of functional and efficient artificial photosynthetic system. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.