NiCoP/CoP sponge-like structure grown on stainless steel mesh as a high-performance electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

•Stainless steel mess with a three-dimensional network structure substrate to grow NiCoP-CoP electroactive catalyst.•NiCoP@SSM electrocatalyst reveals an excellent performance and stability towards hydrogen evolution reaction.•Synergetic effect between Pδ− with a high affinity towards proton-acceptor, and Coδ+/ Niδ+ as hydride-acceptor.