Electrochemical water splitting is a promising pathway for effective hydrogen (H2) evolution in energy conversion and storage, with electrocatalysis playing a key role. Developing efficient, cost-effective and stable catalysts or electrocatalysts is critical for hydrogen evolution from water splitting. Herein, we evaluated a graphene-modified nanoparticle catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The electrocatalytic H2 production rate of reduced graphene oxide-titanium oxide-nickel oxide-zinc oxide (rGO–TiO2–NiO–ZnO) is high and exceeds that obtained on components alone. This improvement is due to the presence of rGO as an electron collector and transporter. Moreover, a current density of 10 mA/cm2 was recorded at a reduced working potential of 365 mV for the nanocomposite. The electronic coupling effect between the nanoparticle components at the interface causes the nanoparticle's hydrogen evolution reaction catalytic activity. Graphical Abstract