Method for producing an electrode material comprising nanowires

The present invention is directed to a cost effective and quick method for producing nanowire electrode materials which eliminates the drawbacks of prior art by way of forming nanowires prior to formation of a support layer. In more detail, the method of the present invention comprises etching of a substrate material, such as alumina, to form a porous nano-pattern, etching of the pore bottoms and simultaneously coating the pore bottom sections with an etchant solution such as a zincate solution, and electroplating a transition metal to said pores until nanowires are filled within the pores and a thick metallic film is formed on the nanowire structure such that this metallic layer function as a support material for the said nanowires. The substrate is subsequently removed leaving behind vertically aligned free standing nanowires with a self-formed electroactive layer on their surfaces