In alkaline fuel cells (AFC) electrodes containing porous nickel and PTFE can be used as anodes. A low-cost production technique yields passive, polymer covered electrodes, which have to be activated before being used in electrochemical devices. During this activation process the surface structure as well as the chemical composition and the oxidation state of the used materials are changed by a given electrochemical current. The electrodes are investigated in different states during this activation process with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption.