An electrode substrate comprising M(n+1)AXn, where M is a metal of group IIIB, IVB,VB,VIB or VIII of the periodic table of elements or a combination thereof, A is an element of group IIIA, IVA, VA or VIA of the periodic table of elements or a combination thereof, X is carbon, nitrogen or a combination thereof, where n is 1, 2, or 3; and b) an electrocatalytic coating deposited on said electrode substrate, said coating being selected from at least one of b.1 ) a metal oxide and / or metal sulfide comprising ByC(1-y)Oz1Sz2, wherein B is at least one of ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, palladium, iridium, and cobalt, C is at least one valve metal, y is 0.4-0.9, 0 <= z1, z2 <= 2 and z1+z2=2; b.2) a metal oxide comprising BfCgDhEi, wherein B is at least one of ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, palladium, and cobalt, C is at least one valve metal, D is iridium, E is Mo and / or W, wherein f is 0-0.25 or 0.35-1, g is 0-1, h is 0-1, i is 0-1, wherein f+g+h+i=1; b.3) at least one noble metal; b.4) any alloy or mixture comprising iron-molybdenum, iron-tungsten, iron-nickel, ruthenium-molybdenum, ruthenium-tungsten or mixtures thereof; b.5) at least one nanocrystalline material. The electrode is used in an electrolytic cell for the production of alkali metal chlorate.