Robust electrochemical metal oxide deposition using an electrode with a superhydrophobic surface.

Described herein is the first study of metal oxide deposition on an electrode with a solid/liquid/gas triphase reaction interface. Such an electrode enables the formation of a locally high interface pH value that is independent of the bulk conditions, and allows the deposition of a wide variety of metal oxides in a robust electrolyte. The results reveal that the control of electrode surface wettability is of significant importance for the regulation of the electrode-electrolyte local interface environment, which provides a new set of guidelines and perspective for future electrode preparation and application.