The use of non-noble-metal to replace precious metal as co-catalyst in solar-driven hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is important for lowering hydrogen production cost. In this work, nickel metal nanoparticles loaded nitrogen-doped graphite carbon nitride (NiNCN3) was prepared, which significantly enhanced the HER activity of nitrogen-doped graphite carbon nitride. The hydrogen evolution rate of NiNCN3 can reach to 1507 mu mol g(-1) h(-1), much higher than that of 3 wt % Pt/NCN (1055 mu mol g(-1) h(-1)). The distinguished photocatalytic performance is due to the accelerated electron transfer efficiency and inhibited photogenerated electron hole recombination. Our study offers an alternative method to achieve the low-cost and effective noble-metal-free photocatalyst for HER. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.