Cathodic reduction of aqueous solutions of Mg(NO3)(2) results in the deposition of Mg(OH)(2) coatings on stainless steel cathodes. The coating growth is controlled by varying the deposition time, current density and the bath concentration. The coatings comprise thin scaly particles having sub-micron dimensions. DIFFaX simulations of the X-ray line broadening indicate the formation of small anisotropic particles having a thickness 134 Angstrom measured along the [001] direction.