Pd nanoparticles supported on Samarium oxide modified carbon (SmOx/C) hybrid support for the electrooxidation of formic acid is studied. The morphology, composition and electrocatalytic properties are investigated by physical characterization and electrochemical measurements. The results demonstrate that Pd/SmOx-C catalyst has excellent catalytic activity and stability for formic acid oxidation. The current density is about 1.32 times that of the Pd/C catalyst. The electronic effect and oxygen-containing species provided by SmOx accelerate the rate of formic acid electrooxidation. When integrated into the anode of a direct formic acid fuel cell, the maximum power density of 167 mW cm (2) is obtained, which is about 1.4 times that of a commercial Pd/C catalyst. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.