Nanowires (Co O and NiCo O ) and nanoplates (β-Ni(OH) ) grown on Ni foam are successfully prepared by a template-free method and used as cathode electrodes for the electroreduction of H O in an alkaline medium. Catalytic performance is investigated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The Co O and NiCo O nanowire electrodes exhibit much better catalytic activity, stability, and mass transfer properties for H O electroreduction than pressed Co O and NiCo O nanoparticle/carbon/ PTFE electrodes. A current density of 101.8 mA cm and 122.7 mA cm are respectively achieved on Co O and NiCo O nanowire electrodes at -0.4 V in 0.4 mol/L H O and 3.0 mol/L NaOH solution at room temperature. © 2012 American Scientific Publishers.