The polydopamine functionalized carbon nanotubes-ceria-palladium nanohybrids (Pd-CeO2-x/PDA-CNTs) is fabricated through layer-by-layer synthetic strategy, aiming to integrate the functions of support (PDA-CNTs), metal oxides (CeO2-x) and Pd nanoparticles (NPs). Various instrumental techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) not only confirm the formation of nanohybrids but also provide the morphology, structure and composition properties of the as-prepared catalysts. As an anode catalyst towards ethanol electrooxidation reaction (EOR) in direct ethanol fuel cells, the Pd-CeO2-x/PDA-CNTs reveals promoted electrocatalytic performance, accelerated kinetics and enhanced stability. Based on the control experiments and related reports, the synergistic action of PDA, CeO2-x, and Pd NPs is the key factor for the superior electrochemical behavior of Pd-CeO2-x/PDA-CNTs, which originates from the integration of various components through layer-by-layer synthetic strategy. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.