To enhance the performance of heterostructure electrocatalysts for fuel cell and other applications, carbon-supported Pt decorating PdSn-SnO2 nanoparticles are prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical results show higher ethanol oxidation activity of heterostructured catalysts than that of Pt@PdSn/C, PtSn/C and PdSn-SnO2/C catalysts. This result demonstrates significant potential for utilizing heterostructure-core synthesis in the preparation of novel core shell catalysts. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.