Improving the catalytic activity of the anode catalyst is an important task in direct methanol and formic acid fuel cell development In the present work catalytic activity of shape-controlled PtCu nanoparticles toward methanol and formic acid oxidation was investigated The results show that the addition of Cu to Pt increases the catalytic activity of both reactions In addition the shape of PtCu nanoparticles plays an important role on improving the reactivity of both reactions Cubic PtCu nanoparticles are more active for methanol oxidation while spheres are better for formic acid oxidation The present study demonstrates controlling shape of Pt alloy catalysts is an effective way of improving catalytic activity Likely mechanisms of the activity enhancement are briefly discussed (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved