Carbon supported PdxPty/C (atomic ratio x:y from 1:1 to 6:1) have been prepared by a modified citrate reduction method assisted by inorganic stabilizers. Without using high molecular capping agents as stabilizers, the PdxPty/C catalysts are highly dispersed on the carbon support and no particle aggregations are found for the PdxPty/C catalysts. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals either Pt or Pd segregation for the PdxPty/C catalysts depending on Pd/Pt atomic ratio. CO stripping in 0.5 M H2SO4 and repeated formic acid oxidation cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M HCHO + 0.5 M H2SO4 have been conducted to test out the CO tolerance and stability of the catalysts, respectively. It has been found that, with the increase of Pd/Pt atomic ratio, the CO stripping peak potential increases (less CO tolerant), whereas the catalyst stability towards formic acid oxidation decreases. The as-prepared catalysts reveal excellent massnormalized formic acid oxidation activity as compared with published results possibly due to high dispersion and the absence of high molecular capping agents. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.