A composite electrode as hydrogen cathodes composed of Ti,Ni hydrogen absorbing alloys and a Ni-Mo electrocatalyst was prepared for alkaline water electrolysis. The electrocatalytic properties of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are carried out in a 30 wt% KOH solution at 70 degrees C. The surface morphology and chemical composition of the cathode were also examined. The experimental results show that the composite cathode has a low hydrogen overpotential (ca. 60 mV at 70 degrees C in 30 wt% KOH) and excellent stability under conditions of continuous electrolysis and intermittent electrolysis with power interruption shutdown. The stability mechanism of the cathode against intermittent electrolysis is discussed. (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy.