A series of stable Au1-xAgx (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) alloy nanoparticles with comparable particle sizes of 3-4nm have been prepared by a co-reduction method in P123 aqueous solution and used for the selective oxidation of alcohols with molecular oxygen in the presence of Na2CO3 at near ambient temperature. The results demonstrated that the addition of Ag significantly enhanced the catalytic activity, and the Au0.95Ag0.05 alloy nanocatalysts possessed the highest oxidation rate for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol. The comparisons of the product selectivities at 60% conversion of benzyl alcohol revealed that increasing reaction temperature or benzyl alcohol concentration was more favorable for producing benzaldehyde relative to benzoic acid. The aerobic oxidation of other kinds of alcohols was also examined over the Au0.95Ag0.05 alloy nanocatalysts and showed excellent catalytic activities and the product selectivities associated closely with the natures of alcohols. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.