The bismuth nanoparticles modified graphene oxide composites (Bi-NPs@GO) and bismuth nanoparticles (Bi-NPs) were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The activated aluminum/bismuth nanoparticles Bi-NPs@GO/Al and Bi-NPs/Al were prepared. Their hydrolysis reaction performance were studied. The experimental results show that the composite of aluminum and Bi-NPs@GO can react rapidly with water. The 4-h milled Bi-NPs@GO/Al composite shows better hydrogen generation performance and reacted with tap water even at 0 degrees C. The Bi-NPs@GO/Al composite exhibits high hydrogen generation rate at room temperature. The enhancement of aluminum hydrolysis in the composite may be due to that the addition of nano-scale Bi and graphene oxide. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.