Composite nickel coated steel cathodes were fabricated for hydrogen evolution reaction. TiO2-supported RuO2 particles of varying size were incorporated in the electroless coating. The electrodes exhibited high catalytic activity which was dependent on the size of RuO2 particles incorporated. The smaller the size at nano-level, the higher the catalytic activity. There was enhanced hydrogen adsorption due to high surface roughness and abundant active sites. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.