Ag-Pt core-shell nanocomposites composed of Ag nanoparticle core and ultra-thin Pt nanorods shell have been successfully synthesized via a simple wet-chemical route at room temperature. The influence of reacting temperature on the final product was studied, and the results showed that Pt dendrites instead of Pt nanorods were formed at elevated temperature. The as-synthesized Ag-Pt core-shell nanocomposites were applied as catalyst for the methanol electro-oxidation reaction, and the results indicate that the Ag-Pt core-rods nanocomposites have the best steady-state catalytic activity and high catalytic activity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.