The Ni-Ce-Co-O film on nickel foam was prepared by thermal decomposition of acetates. The electrochemical activity of the film was affected by the temperature of thermal decomposition. Cerium ions introduced into the oxide film could increase the surface area and improve the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of the electrode. Compared with thermal decomposition of nitrates, the OER activity of the film prepared with acetates was higher. When the nickel foam/Ni-Ce-Co-O film electrode prepared with acetates was used as the anode, in 30% KOH solution (88 +/- 2 degrees C) at the current density of 4000 A/m(2), the cell voltage was 250 mV lower than that of the nickel foam anode. Furthermore, the film electrode exhibited good stability. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.