Gold-palladium nanoparticles (AuPd NPs) were prepared on an indium tin oxide (ITO) surface by potentiostatic electrodeposition from a mixture of two metal salts. The bulk compositions of the prepared AuPd NPs were studied by means of energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical behavior of the AuPd NPs in the sulfuric acid showed that the atomic ratio between Au and Pd could be adjusted by the composition of electrolyte and the applied potential. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images of the electrodeposits show that the morphology of the AuPd NPs was affected by the electrochemical deposition potential and deposition period. In addition, the AuPd NPs displayed good electro-catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline solution. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.