<p>Developing cost-effective and high-performance non-precious electrocatalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as alternatives to substitute platinum (Pt)-based remains a formidable bottleneck for large-scale industrial water electrolysis. Herein, a molten salt synthetic route to fabricate a series of composite materials composed of nickel (Ni) nanoparticles incorporated on carbon materials (denoted Ni/C-m) for efficient alkaline HER electrocatalyst. The ratio between Ni and C of the composite materials Ni/C-m can be modulated by tuning the mass of carbon material precursor. Benefiting from optimized component proportions, the optimal Ni/C-1.0 sample exhibits an overpotential of −106&#xa0;mV at the current density of −10&#xa0;mA&#xa0;cm⁻² and long-term durability under alkaline solution. The outstanding HER electrocatalytic performance originates from the well conductive of carbon materials and the synergistic interaction between Ni nanoparticles and C. This study offers a straightforward, scalable synthetic method to construct affordable and high-efficiency non-precious HER electrocatalyst for electrocatalytic hydrogen production.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>Herein, Ni nanoparticles incorporated on carbon materials (Ni/C) were synthesized via molten salt strategy. Through regulate the mass of carbon materials precursor, the molar ratio between Ni and carbon materials of Ni/C can be adjusted. The synergistic interaction between Ni and carbon material can enhances the Ni/C electrocatalyst HER performance. As-prepared Ni/C electrocatalyst possess the optimal ratio of Ni and carbon materials which exhibits an excellent HER performance with an low overpotential of −106 mV at the current density of −10 mA cm⁻² and long-term stability. This work open a new insight for fabricating and designing transition metal electrocatalysts for industrial hydrogen production.</p> <p></p>