Two novel photocatalysts based on ceramic materials for hydrogen production from water splitting under the solar radiation are introduced. CdS-doped and CdS-PdS-doped poly(vinyl acetate) electrospun nanofiber mats reveal good activity toward water photosplitting. The efficient ceramic nanoparticles were in situ synthesized in the polymer solution which was subjected to the electrospinning process. CdS-PdS-doped poly(vinyl acetate) nanofibers produce more hydrogen compared to the naked CdS NPs. Immobilization of the CdS and CdS-PdS nanoparticles inside the polymer nanofibers is an effective strategy to overcome the photocorrosion and toxicity problems of the CdS-based materials. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.