A method for hydrogen evolution by electrolysis includes soaking a membrane electrode assembly into an alkaline aqueous solution. The membrane electrode assembly includes an anode having a first catalyst layer on a first gas-liquid diffusion layer, a cathode having a second catalyst layer on a second gas-liquid diffusion layer, and a cationic exchange membrane between the first catalyst layer of the anode and the second catalyst layer of the cathode. The first catalyst layer, the second catalyst layer, or both of the above has a chemical structure of MxRuyN2, wherein M is Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, Cr, V, Ti, Cu, or Zn, 0