In this paper the anodic polarization performance of a pure nickel electrode and a nickel electrode modified by electrodeposition of niobium have been investigated. It is found that the anodic polarization characteristics of the nickel electrode is improved significantly by the deposition of niobium. The improvement is partially attributed to the increase in surface area of the nickel electrode and the increase in electrocatalytic activity, but is caused mainly by improvement in the wettability of the electrode.