In this work a facile synthesis for a high-performance PtRuBi/C catalyst was presented through a simple mixture of commercial PtRu/C and Bi(NO3)(3). Most of the Bimodified the PtRu particle surface via irreversible adsorption and deposition processes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that Bi2O3 was the main form in the catalyst and that there exists an interaction between Bi2O3 and Pt. The current density of PtRuBi/C (1:1:0.2 for Pt:Ru:Bi) in the cyclic voltammograms for methanol or ethanol oxidation is over 2.6 times higher than that of PtRu/C. The anti-poisoning ability of this catalyst was also greatly improved. The Bi-containing catalyst had abundant oxygenated species and facilitated removal of poisonous intermediate species. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.