This work explores the opportunity to reduce the cost and enhance the stability of RuO2 as an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst by coating RuO2 on chemically stable SnO2 support. Nano-sized RuO2/SnO2 composites of different mass ratios of RuO2 to SnO2 (0.45:1, 0.67:1, and 1.07:1) were synthesized using solution-based hydrothermal method. The physicochemical properties of the RuO2/SnO2 were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The electrochemical activity of RuO2/SnO2 as anode electrocatalyst was investigated in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis cell of Pt/C cathode and Nafion membrane. Experimental results showed that RuO2/SnO2 of ratio (1.07:1) exhibit higher electrochemical activity compared to pure RuO2, resulting -50% reduction of noble metal content. The extended life test of electrocatalysts for 240 h implied that RuO2/SnO2 (1.07:1) significantly improved the stability of electrode in comparison to pure RuO2 in oxygen evolution processes. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.