Uniform CeO2 nanorods (CeO2-r) and CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2-p) are synthesized by hydrothermal method and are used as supports to load Pt nanoparticles (indexed as Pt/CeO2-r & Pt/CeO2-p) for methanol electrooxidation. HRTEM images indicate that the synthesized CeO2-r are covered by (10 0) and (110) facets which own higher surface energy compared to CeO2-p with (111) facets. Electrochemical characterizations demonstrate Pt/CeO2-r shows excellent specific activity which is 1.6 and 10 times higher than Pt/CeO2-p and commercial Pt/C (indexed as Pt/C-JM) towards electrooxidation of methanol. By in-situ FTIR spectroscopic investigation, much higher CO2 productivity is observed at low potential on Pt/CeO2-r that implies strong anti-poisoning ability during methanol electrooxidation. The significant improved electrocatalytical performance is attributed to the existence of CeO2 nanorods with high energy surfaces. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.