In the present work nano-sized Pt-Pd alloys have been prepared by polyol process on Vulcan XC72. The information on structural characteristics and surface chemistry of the nano-material was obtained using TEM, XRD and XPS. Their catalytic activities against methanol and ethanol oxidation were measured and compared with that of commercial Pt/C (20wt% ETEK) by electrochemical methods. The methanol and ethanol oxidation was studied in half cells at different temperatures. The results show that Pt-Pd/C catalysts were more active for oxidation of methanol than ethanol. The significant improvement in the catalytic activities for methanol and ethanol oxidation compared to that of the Pt/C is believed due to the higher electrochemical surface area and the synergistic effect between Pt and Pd. (C) 2009 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.