Highly ordered PdAu nanowire arrays (NWAs) have been successfully prepared by the combination of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template-electrodeposition and Pd NWAs reacting with HAuCl4. The synergistic effect of Pd-Au bimetallic surfaces in Au-covered Pd nanowires has been demonstrated by cyclic voltammogram (CV) because the onset potential (E,) of ethanol oxidation on the PdAu NWAs electrode is 123 mV more negative compared with that on the Pd NWAs electrode. The PdAu NWAs shows higher activity and better poisoning-resistance behavior than the Pd NWAs for ethanol electrooxidation. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.