Designing active and cost-effective electrocatalysts is important in the field of energy economics, particularly for hydrogen production, which is at the core of many energy conversion technologies. This investigation reports on the preparation of nickel-based materials targeting electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution in either alkali or physiological solutions. Nickel-based metallic nanoparticles were synthesized via the bromide anion exchange method, and their performance was compared with the performances of a homemade nickel mesh and a high-purity nickel foil. The Ni99Pt01/C electrocatalyst performed the best in terms of overpotential and generated current density, notably in physiological conditions. In addition, the homemade electroformed nickel mesh behaved as well as a commercial high-purity nickel foil in alkaline medium and even better in buffered solution at pH 7. Both materials are environmentally friendly and economically viable candidates for technologies that require large cathode materials, especially when hydrogen production in neutral electrolytes is sought. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.