A novel nacre-like metal/metal structure by lithography and electrodeposition

•The novel nacre-like metal/metal structure is fabricated using electrodeposition coupled with lithography for the first time.•Our metal/metal hybrids exhibited an extensive toughening behavior that far surpasses brittle amorphous Ni-P alloy.•Nacre’s extrinsic toughening mechanisms: crack deflection and brick pullout, had worked efficiently on our nacre-like metals.