After the siloxane is polymerized on the nanotube surfaces, the carbon nanotube is embedded within the polysiloxane shell with a hydrophilic amino group situated outside. Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles were synthesised on as-produced noncovalent functional multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) via electrostatic interactions. The structure and nature of the resulting Pt/MWNT composite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrocatalytic properties of the Pt/MWNT electrode for oxidation of ethanol have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and excellent electrocatalytic activity can be observed. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.