Nickel–iron foam as a three-dimensional robust oxygen evolution electrode with high activity

•NiFe foam behaves as an active 3D oxygen evolution anode in strongly basic solution.•NiFe foam exhibits strong long-term electrochemical durability.•Further acid etching leads to greatly enhanced catalytic activity.

In this communication, we report the first use of commercial nickel–iron (NiFe) foam as a novel three-dimensional anode for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte. The NiFe foam electrode exhibits onset overpotential of 300 mV and affords current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 320 mV, with catalytic activity being maintained for at least 10 h. Further acid etching of this electrode leads to greatly enhanced OER activity.