Dendritic Pt-Cu bimetallic nanocrystals were synthesized by one-step aqueous-phase reduction of H2PtCl6 and CuCl2 at a mild temperature (60 degrees C). The morphology and composition of the dendritic Pt-Cu nanocrystals were characterized by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The electrochemical properties were characterized by the cyclic voltammetry technique. It was found that the dendritic Pt-Cu bimetallic nanocrystals exhibited a higher catalytic activity toward the electro-oxidation of methanol than commercial Pt/C catalyst The enhanced catalytic activity would be contributed to the unique dendritic structure and the formation of Pt-Cu alloy nanocrystals. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.