Effect of substrate-induced lattice strain on the electrochemical properties of pulsed laser deposited nickel oxide thin film

•Electrocatalysts are integral in the water-splitting processes as they increase the rates of the half-cell redox reactions.•NiO, a p-type oxide with excellent electrochemical capabilities, is a great candidate for fundamental electrochemical studies.•Our results help elucidate how NiO can be used as an electrode material for catalysis in water-splitting systems.