Two types of Pt nanowires (NWs)/C catalysts with different aspect ratios and one type of Pt nanoparticles/C catalyst are successfully synthesized, and DME electrochemical performance on different extent consecutive surfaces is investigated. The morphology and crystallization are confirmed with electron microscopes and XRD. The electrochemical tests show that the nanowire catalysts, especially the one with higher aspect ratio, possess higher electrochemical surface areas, higher absorption capacity of DME, higher CO tolerance, higher electron transfer coefficient, and higher activity towards DME electrooxidation than those of the nanoparticle catalyst. The results prove that the consecutive surface favors for direct dimethyl ether fuel cell (DDFC) anodic catalyst, which are contributive to the study of the mechanism of DME electrooxidation on Pt surface and designing an effective catalyst for anodic DDFC. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.