Catalytic materials useful, e.g., in water oxidation performing at low overpotential and/or stable for applications such as solar-to-fuel conversion systems may include nanoscale, nanoporous Pd-containing materials. Thin-film Pd electrocatalysts may be obtained via Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) on conducting surfaces. XRD and XPS analyses show a phase pure crystalline metallic Pd deposit. Surface morphology study reveals a nanoparticulate highly porous nanostructure. Under electrochemical conditions, such Pd electrocatalysts may conduct water oxidation at onset potentials starting around 1.43 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode (η of 200 mV, Tafel slope of 40 mV/dec), and/or may achieve around 100 mA/cm2 current density at 1.63 V against a reversible hydrogen electrode, and may exhibits long-term stability in oxygen evolution. Method of making such electrocatalysts and their uses are also provided.