Enhancement of activity of platinum towards oxidation of ethanol by supporting on titanium dioxide containing phosphomolybdate-modified gold nanoparticles

► Phosphododecamolybdate adsorbates are capable of stabilizing Au nanoparticles. ► Pt black dispersed over Au-containing TiO2 is the ethanol oxidation electrocatalyst. ► Specific Pt-TiO2 or Pt-Au electronic interactions are postulated. ► TiO2 and phoshomolybdates provide active OH groups in the vicinity of Pt sites.