Morphology-dependent activity of Pt nanocatalysts for ethanol oxidation in acidic media: Nanowires versus nanoparticles

► We demonstrate the morphology effect of Pt catalysts in electrooxidation of ethanol and CO in an acidic solution. ► Pt nanowires and nanoparticles were used as catalysts. ► Pt nanowires display a higher catalytic activity by a factor of at least two relative to those nanoparticles for ethanol oxidation. ► The rate for CO monolayer oxidation exhibits similar morphology-dependent behavior with a markedly enhanced rate on the Pt nanowires.