A Pd-Ni-Mo film was prepared on stainless steel substrate as a novel electrode material for hydrogen evolution reaction catalysis. The surface micro-morphology, chemical composition and microstructure of the Pd-Ni-Mo film were characterizated with SEM, EDS, XPS and TEM. The obtained film is a multiple phase ternary alloy containing crystallines and amorphous phases. The electrochemical measurements showed that the Pd-Ni-Mo film has excellent catalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction with good corrosion resistance in 1 M NaOH solution. The proton discharge electrosorption is the rate determining step of hydrogen evolution reaction on Pd-Ni-Mo film surface. The better electrocatalysis performance of the Pd-Ni-Mo film is attributed to its larger real surface as well as the enhanced electrochemical activity of the film surface due to the alloying effect. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.