Pd nanocrystals supported on graphene nanoplatelets (Pd/GNP) have been successfully synthesized by simultaneously electrochemical milling of Pd wire and graphite rod. It should be stressed that without the assistance of graphite rod, the Pd nanocrystals are unable to be obtained individually from Pd wire under the same conditions. Investigations of SEM and TEM demonstrate that Pd/GNP are preferentially decorated with (111) faceted nanocrystals. XPS studies confirm the strong metal-support interaction in Pd/GNP and reveal the surface is almost composed of Pd(0) species. Electrochemical measurements show that the prepared Pd based catalyst exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity towards formic acid oxidation, which may be attributed to the combined effects involving the preferentially oriented (111) surface structure, specific electronic structure and high dispersion of Pd nanocrystals as well as the support effects of graphene nanoplatelets. The synthesis method is simple and effective to prepare excellent new carbon-supported electrocatalysts, which is of great significance for direct organic molecule fuel cell. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.