The present invention provides one with an iron electrode employing a binder comprised of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an iron based electrode comprising a single layer of a conductive substrate coated on at least one side with a coating comprising an iron active material and a binder, wherein the binder is PVA. This iron based electrode is useful in alkaline rechargeable batteries, particularly as a negative electrode in a Ni—Fe battery.