A　series　of　Cu(X)-CdIn2S4　microspheres　have　been　synthesized　via　a　facile　hydrothermal　approach.　The　results　of　characterization　disclose　that　the　morphology,　optical　properties　and　electronic　nature　of　Cu(X)-CdIn2S4　samples　are　tuned　by　the　Cu　injection.　The　photocatalytic　activities　of　these　samples　have　been　evaluated　by　photocatalytic　reduction　of　aqueous　Cr(VI)　under　visible　light　(λ＞420　nm)　irradiation.　The　results　show　that　the　5　wt%　Cu-CdIn2S4　sample　possesses　the　highest　photocatalytic　activity　and　performs　a　decent　stability　during　three　successive　recycling　tests.　A　possible　mechanism　of　the　photocatalytic　reduction　for　aqueous　Cr(VI)　over　Cu(X)-CdIn2S　4　is　proposed　and　discussed.　©　2013　Elsevier　B.V.