Gold nanoparticle/multi-walled carbon nanotube (AuMWCNT) composite was synthesized using MWCNTs and functionalized with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for applications in hydrogen evolution reactions from hydrogen feedstock materials. The resulting composite was characterized via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and catalytic activity of hydrogen evolution reactions. Elemental analysis and electron microscopy confirmed a loading of 3.3% for similar to 18 nm AuNPs onto similar to 30 nm diameter MWCNTs. Catalytic activity study determined that the catalyst performs best at pH 7, with an optimum concentration of 835 mol evolving 29.0 mL min(-1) at of hydrogen gas at 303 K using sodium borohydride as hydrogen feedstock material. The activation energy of the reaction in the presence of the AuMWCNT composite was calculated to be one of the lowest of heterogeneous catalysts reported to date at 21.1 kJ mol(-1). (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.