Nano-graphene is fabricated on a macroporous electrical conductive network by hydrothermal carburization and subsequent annealing in Ar and the electrochemical characteristics are studied systematically in an alkaline electrolyte. The nano-graphene on the nickel particles improve the electrochemical properties of the three-dimensional (3D) electrode, especially the solution resistance, ion adsorption/desorption processes due to the large surface area and large surface defect concentration, as well as stability in the electrolyte. The novel 3D electrode has excellent electrochemical properties and large potential in energy storage and photoelectrochemical devices. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.