Nano-structured PtCo catalysts and their single metal counterparts were chemically synthesized under ethylene glycol (EG), sodium borohydride (BH) and hydrazine (Hz) reduction scheme. EG reduction was found to be the most effective method for fabricating binary PtCo electro-catalysts that are functionally competent for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in alkaline medium due to enrichment of the electronic properties of the combined matrix through individual contribution of the ad atoms and their oxides. The catalyst matrices were subjected to structural morphology and compositional analysis by the respective techniques like EDX, XRD, TEM and BET isotherm. Performance screening of the entire set of catalysts at room temperature was carried out employing a series of electrochemical techniques involving voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A 50% share of Co in the matrix developed by EG reduction was found to derive superb catalytic output for EOR and exhibit remarkable poison tolerance, driving the reaction toward final product formation. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.