In this paper, well-dispersed Ni2P-NiP2-Pt/CNTs catalyst promoted by nickel-phosphorus compounds was readily synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal process. The as synthesized Ni2P-NiP2-Pt/CNTs displayed improved electrocatalytic properties towards electro-oxidation of common small organic fuels such as methanol, ethanol and formic acid in contrast with Pt/CNTs and Pt/CNPs in acidic electrolytes. Meanwhile, the Ni2P-NiP2-Pt/CNTs catalyst also exhibited the excellent performance toward hydrogen evolution reaction with a more negative onset potential (-15 mV) and a smaller Tafel slope (29.8 mV dec-1) when compared with Pt/CNTs (-29 mV, 30.6 mV dec(-1)) and Pt/CNPs (-32 mV, 31.3 mV dec(-1)) in 1.0 M H2SO4 solution. The catalytic activity enhancement possibly derives from the induced large specific surface area of carbon nanotubes as well as the strengthened synergistic effect between multiple supporting interactions. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.