One-dimensional support based on SnO2-carbon nitride (SnO2-CNx) nanocomposite is prepared by carbonizing polypyrrole which is formed on the surface of SnO2. The resultant SnO2-CNx nanocomposite exhibits a chain-like architecture and SnO2 particles are coated by CNx. Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles with an average diameter of ca. 4.0 nm are deposited on the SnO2-CNx by a polyol process. Electrochemical tests show that the specific activity of Pt/SnO2-CNx for ethanol oxidation in acid medium is about 1.6 and 1.2 times as large as that of commercial Pt/C and Pt/C-CNx respectively. Pt/SnO2-CNx catalysts also display better durability than commercial Pt/C and Pt/C-CNx. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Pt/SnO2-CNx results from the support effect of SnO2-CNx. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.