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Exploring highly efficient and robust electrocatalysts to replace the noble metal-based electrocatalysts for alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is vital and challenging for the conversion of renewable energy. Herein, a novel element incorporation strategy is proposed to synthesize the multi-metallic selenide of (Ni,Fe,Co)Se 2 nanosheets anchored on a stainless steel mesh substrate (NiFeCoSe/SSM). The multi-metallic hybrid film (NiFeCo/SSM) obtained by a co-sputtering method is converted to the (Ni,Fe,Co)Se 2 nanosheets through an alloying-dealloying-selenization process, in which Co and Fe atoms replace part of Ni atoms in the NiSe 2 lattice. The as-obtained NiFeCoSe/SSM displays efficient OER performances in alkaline solutions with an overpotential of 228 mV at 20 mA cm−2 (268 mV at 50 mA cm−2), and a small Tafel slope of 69.8 mV dec−1 in 1.0 M KOH. Furthermore, the NiFeCoSe/SSM electrode demonstrates a remarkable catalytic stability as long as 24.0 h, and its initial nanosheet structure can be well retained after the durability test. Such excellent OER performances of NiFeCoSe/SSM can be attributed to the unique nanosheet structure and the optimized electronic structure due to the synergistic effect among different metallic elements. • A novel element incorporation strategy is proposed to obtain multi-metallic selenide. • Co and Fe atoms replace part of Ni atoms in the NiSe 2 lattice. • The NiFeCoSe/SSM displays efficient OER performances in alkaline solution. • Synergistic effect among metallic elements causes optimized electronic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]