We report the fabrication, characterisation, and electro-catalytic activity of <0.3 mg cm(-2) platinum deposits onto similar to 500 nm long nickel nanopillar substrates (Ni-NP) synthesised by glancing angle deposition (GLAD). This is the first reported study of GLAD-based Pt-Ni electro-catalysts and the first alcohol oxidation study on any GLAD based electro-catalyst. The Pt was deposited onto Ni-NP via either 1) an unconventional, self-limiting, relatively high current density galvanostatic deposition, with a Pt counter electrode as the source of Pt, or 2) via a conventional potentiostatic deposition from Pt salts dissolved in acidic electrolytes. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) confirm the successful deposition of Pt onto Ni-NP, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) shows that the nanopillar morphology is preserved but the Pt morphology is significantly different between the two methods. The galvanostatic procedure resulted in a conformal Pt deposition over the entire surface of the Ni-NP. The conventional procedure appeared to be mass-transfer limited, with most of the Pt being deposited on the tops of the Ni-NP. Cyclic voltammetry in 1 M KOH shows an enhancement of the surface area of the catalysts upon Pt deposition and corroborates the presence of Pt on the Ni-NP surface. Both prepared catalysts show high electro-catalytic activity towards 2-propanol oxidation in the KOH electrolyte at 60 degrees C. The activity enhancement below 300 mV vs. RHE (RHE = reversible hydrogen electrode) was attributed to the combined activity of the Pt and Ni components in the catalysts. At higher potentials, a bifunctional mechanism was suggested. Finally, a geometric/composition effect may be at work in the traditionally deposited catalyst, and requires further investigation. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.