This study presents the development of ultra-efficient and cost-effective platinum (Pt) nanomembrane electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production through the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The researchers synthesized a percolating network of distorted 2D Pt nanomembranes using polymer surface buckling-enabled exfoliation (PSBEE), a low-cost and scalable method. These nanomembranes exhibit high efficiency, low costs, and good stability, making them a potential alternative to commercial Pt/C catalysts. The unique feature of these nanomembranes is their highly distorted atomic structure, which results in a heterogeneous elastic strain field. This lattice distortion-induced heterogeneous strain enhances the electrocatalytic efficiency of the Pt nanomembranes, leading to significantly higher HER performance compared to various forms of Pt electrocatalysts. The study also highlights the potential of PSBEE for producing other 2D metals and alloys, suggesting its applicability in developing low-dimensional electrocatalysts for multiple electrochemical reactions. The findings provide insights into a new mechanism for efficient catalyst design, emphasizing the importance of lattice distortion in enhancing catalytic activity.This study presents the development of ultra-efficient and cost-effective platinum (Pt) nanomembrane electrocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production through the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The researchers synthesized a percolating network of distorted 2D Pt nanomembranes using polymer surface buckling-enabled exfoliation (PSBEE), a low-cost and scalable method. These nanomembranes exhibit high efficiency, low costs, and good stability, making them a potential alternative to commercial Pt/C catalysts. The unique feature of these nanomembranes is their highly distorted atomic structure, which results in a heterogeneous elastic strain field. This lattice distortion-induced heterogeneous strain enhances the electrocatalytic efficiency of the Pt nanomembranes, leading to significantly higher HER performance compared to various forms of Pt electrocatalysts. The study also highlights the potential of PSBEE for producing other 2D metals and alloys, suggesting its applicability in developing low-dimensional electrocatalysts for multiple electrochemical reactions. The findings provide insights into a new mechanism for efficient catalyst design, emphasizing the importance of lattice distortion in enhancing catalytic activity.