In this letter, we reported hexagonal phase Ni0.85Se as a new bifunctional electrocatalyst for full water splitting, which was prepared through electrodeposition. The as-synthesized Ni0.85Se films supported on graphite substrate exhibited excellent activities for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It needs over potentials of 200 and 302 mV to drive 10 mA cm(-2) for HER and OER in 1.0 M NaOH, respectively, and shows competitive activity among non-noble electrocatalysts with strong durability. The marvellous performance of cost-effective Ni0.85Se in HER and OER enables it to serve as competitive bifunctional electrode in alkaline water electrolyzer. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.