Plasmonic modulation of the catalytic performances of metallic nanostructures shows great potential in the development of novel materials for catalysis. In addition to the challenges of devising new catalysts with high activity while maintaining controllable plasmonic properties, the mechanisms underlying the enhancement of the activity by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) are still under exploration. Here, we design a Pd-Au bimetallic hetero structure and use the well-defined SPR property of the core Au NPs to tune its surface electro catalytic activity. The hot electrons are transferred into the Pd nanopetals from the Au core with visible-light irradiation, resulting in an enhancement of the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol on Au concurrent with an inhibition on Pd. The anti-poisoning and stability of the as-prepared heterostructures is also enhanced by visible-light irradiation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.