Ultrahigh strength ultrapure nanostructured nickel metal prepared via ultrafine anode scanning electrodeposition

•A unique ultrafine anode scanning electrodeposition is proposed to create ultrahigh purity single metal simultaneously with superior mechanical properties.•Ultrafine anode scanning electrodeposition enables NMM to be created at extremely high local current densities and with no additives.•Ultrapure (99.9997%) Ni NMM simultaneously with ultrahigh strength and mirror-like surfaces as well as appreciably high ductility are unprecedentedly electrodeposited.•Evenly refined nanograins and minimum impurities make Ni NMMs extraordinarily strong and smooth.