The development of noble metal free and active bifunctional catalysts for water splitting in alkaline media is highly demanded but very challenging. Herein, synergetic effects developed between two nonprecious metal oxides, Co3O4 and NiO, are reported, with the resulting composite showing promising properties as a catalyst for alkaline water electrolysis. The activity of the composite material towards both the HER and the OER was enhanced and the dynamic potential decreased, as compared with its counterparts. Importantly, low Tafel slopes of 101 and 61 mVdec(-1) are found for the composite catalyst for OER and HER respectively. EIS measurements revealed a decreased impedance response of the composite dominated by the intermediate frequency relaxation, related to the adsorption of intermediates. Moreover, based on the structural features the improved catalytic activity of the composite is also due to high electroactive surface area, swift electron transfer kinetics, and excellent electrical chemical coupling between Co3O4 and NiO. (c) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.