Electrooxidation of ethanol on carbon-supported Pt-Pd nanoparticles

► Pt-Pd nanoalloys have been used as anodes in direct ethanol fuel cell. ► Catalytic activity and ethanol oxidation products have been determined. ► Ensemble effect and bi-functional mechanism roles have been identified. ► Mechanism of EOR on Pt-Pd changes as Pd amount increase. ► The activity of Pt-Pd is not a linear function of composition.