Controllable sulphur vacancies (Sv) confined in nanoporous ZnS nanoplates (Sv-ZnS) were prepared successfully via rapid heat treatment of ZnS(en)0.5 nanoplates. Sv with controllable concentrations originating from the in situ doping of N atoms endowed Sv-ZnS with a visible-light photocatalytic H2 production activity, having a positive linear correlation with Sv concentration.