The nanocomposites of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) and functionalized nanostructure carbon materials were prepared by a facile spontaneous redox method. In this easy and superior process, PdCl42- ions were spontaneously reduced though a galvanic cell effect between them and the functionalized nano carbon materials. The as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electrochemical methods. The electrocatalytic activities of the obtained nanocomposite based electrocatalysts toward ethanol oxidation were studied in alkaline media by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The effect of the type of nano carbon supports was surveyed in the electrocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite based electrocatalysts. The obtained results show that the PdNPs on the functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes present high electrocatalytic activity over than the other supports and would appears as an interest supporting nano carbon material for preparation of the nanocomposite based electrocatalyst in direct ethanol fuel cells. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.