Pd nanowires with diameter of 10-20 nm and length of several micrometers were prepared and monolayer of Pt was deposited on the Pd nanowires by using copper underpotential deposition and subsequent replacement of Cu by Pt. The products were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy spectrum analysis. The electrocatalytic performance of PdPt nanowires was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Electrochemical results show that the monolayer of Pt can improve not only the activity of Pd nanowires but also the stability for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.