SnO2-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites were prepared by sol-gel method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Due to high stability in diluted acidic solution, SnO2-CNTs composites were selected as the catalyst support and second catalyst for ethanol electrooxidation. The electrocatalytic properties of the SnO2-CNTs supported platinum (Pt) catalyst (Pt/SnO2-CNTs) for ethanol oxidation have been investigated by typical electrochemical methods. Under the same mass loading of Pt, the Pt/SnO2-CNTs catalyst shows higher electrocatalytic activity and better long-term cycle stability than Pt/SnO2 catalyst. Additionally, the effect of the mass ratio of CNTs to SnO2 on the electrocatalytic activity of the electrode for ethanol oxidation was investigated, and the optimum mass ratio of CNTs to SnO2 in the Pt/SnO2-CNTs catalyst is 1/6.3. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.