A novel cathode with a multilayer structure was developed. Mm-based hydride alloys served as the hydrogen absorbing alloy of the novel cathode. A Ni-Mo alloy coating was used as the electrocatalyst of the cathode. The experimental results showed that the novel cathode not only had highly catalytic activity fdr HER, but also exhibited excellent durability and stability under the conditions of continuous electrolysis and intermittent electrolysis with short circuiting for more than 2 weeks. (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.