Bimetallic core-shell PtPd@Pt nanocrystals were uniformly supported on reduced graphene oxide (PtPd@Pt NCs/rGO) through a facile and green wet-chemical procedure. Formic acid was employed here as the reducing agent, without using any additive (e.g., surfactant, polymer, seed, or template). The as-prepared nanocomposites displayed enlarged electrochemically active surface area, enhanced catalytic activity, high stability and tolerance toward ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) in acidic and alkaline media as compared with commercial Pd/C and Pt/C catalysts. This strategy opens an environmentally friendly way to fabricate other bimetallic catalysts with improved catalytic activity and stability in direct alcohol fuel cells. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.