Ultrafine particles of Co-P were synthesized by direct ball milling of Co and P powders and also investigated as a reversible hydrogen storage electrode material. The electrochemical results demonstrated that the reversible charge-discharge capacity of the Co-P electrode can reach more than 300 mA h/g. In addition, the cycling ability and high rate capability of the Co-P electrode are excellent with only 5% capacity decay after 100 cycles at a high rate of 300 mA/g. The temperature-programmed desorption measurements (TPD) of the Co-P electrode revealed that the charge and discharge reactions of the Co-P electrode proceeds predominantly through electrochemical hydrogen storage mechanism and the electrooxidation of cobalt contributes only a negligible part to the reversible electrochemical capacity. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.