The PdCeOx/C catalyst was prepared and studied as anodic catalyst for formic acid electrooxidation. The morphology, composition and electrocatalytic properties were investigated by transmission electronmicroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry, respectively. The average particle size of Pd nanoparticles for PdCeOx/C catalyst was about 3.4 nm with a narrow size distribution. The electrochemical surface area (ESA) of PdCeOx/C catalyst was larger than the Pd/C catalyst. According to the Tafel plots, the presence of CeOx in the Pd/C catalyst can accelerate the rate of formic acid electrooxidation. The electrochemical measurements showed that the PdCeOx/C catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity and stability. For example, the peak current of PdCeOx/C catalyst for formic acid oxidation was about 1.67 times of the Pd/C catalyst and the stable current at 3600 s of PdCeOx/C catalyst was about 7 times of the Pd/C catalyst. The promotion effect should be attributed to the larger ESA, the electronic effect and more oxygen-containing species provided by the CeOx and this catalyst may be used as an effective catalyst for direct formic acid fuel cell. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.