Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-supported Pt-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles with various feed molar ratios (denoted as PtxPdy/MWCNTs) are successfully prepared for the first time by a simple method of pyrolysis without any additional reducing agent. The obtained PtxPdy/MWCNTs catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results show that PtxPdy particles with an average particle size of similar to 4.0 nm are dispersed quite uniformly on the surface of MWCNTs. The electrocatalytic activity of the PtxPdy/MWCNTs catalysts toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in basic solution. Surprisingly, significantly enhanced EOR peak currents are observed under the catalysis of Pt3Pd3/MWCNTs, where the feed molar ratio of Pt to Pd is 3:3. The onset potential is found to be similar to 200 mV lower and the peak current is 10 times higher for the ethanol oxidation with Pt3Pd3/MWCNTs catalysts when compared to the ethanol oxidation with Pt/MWCNTs catalysts. The existence of PdO is considered as the possible reason for the remarkably enhanced peak currents of EOR in the presence of Pt3Pd3/MWCNTs catalysts. (c) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.