Efficient electrooxidation of methanol and ethanol using MoOx-decorated Pd catalysts in alkaline media

► Pd-MoOx/C catalysts were synthesized by modifying Pd surfaces with MoOx. ► Pd-MoOx/C showed a high mass activity toward methanol and ethanol electrooxidation. ► The activity enhancement arose from the high active surface area of the Pd-MoOx/C. ► The presence of MoOx on Pd-MoOx/C improved a tolerance to CO poisoning.