Nickel-phosphorus nanoparticles film on copper foam (Ni-P/CF) was prepared by electrodeposition. This electrocatalyst shows high catalytic activity and durability toward both hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions in basic electrolytes. The results show that Ni-P/CF can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) at an overpotential of 98 mV for hydrogen production and 325 mV for oxygen generating. A two-electrode water electrolyzer using Ni-P/CF as cathode and anode produces 10 mA cm(-2) at a cell voltage of 1.68 V with high stability. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.