Using glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) as working electrodes, Pd nanodendrites have been prepared on a large scale by one-step electrodeposition, without any seed or surfactant, just with the assistance of ethylenediamine. The formation of Pd nanostructures is closely associated with their growth conditions, such as applied potential, electrolyte and its concentration, and electrodeposition time. It is found that Pd nanocrystals are preferential growing along the (1 1 1) directions during the electrolysis process. The as-prepared Pd dendrites have large electroactive surface area and exhibit high electrocatalytic ability towards methanol oxidation, which can be used as a better potential candidate for application in direct fuel cells. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.