Rhodium nanowires with an average diameter of 55 nm and a length of 1.5-11 mu m have been prepared by electrodeposition in the pores of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes which were fabricated by two-step anodization technique. Rh/AAO nanocomposites have been investigated by the combination of instrumental and electrochemical methods. The electrochemical surface area of Rh nanowires is about one order of magnitude higher than the geometrical one that is beneficial for catalytic applications. The efficiency of both isolated Rh nanowires and Rh/AAO nanocomposites towards nitrate electrochemical reduction in acidic medium has been demonstrated. The preliminary annealing of AAO templates allows us to obtain nanocomposites that are suitable for long-term catalytic applications in aggressive medium. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.