The sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the most challenging technical problem in water splitting. Here, we reported a new type of cauliflower-like NiCo2O4 (CF-NiCo2O4) film which was co-electrodeposited with silica for oxygen evolution reaction. Structure and morphology of the obtained films were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical properties of the CF-NiCo2O4 film were evaluated by quasi-steady state polarization curve, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results show that the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the CF-NiCo2O4 film toward OER is a synergistic effect of improved intrinsic catalytic activity and increased surface area. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.