Nanostructured palladium (Pd) supported on carbon (Vulcan XC-72) substrate, prepared via carbonyl chemical route, showed Pd -mass depending morphology, reflected on the surface electrochemistry via cyclic, CO-stripping voltammograms, and performance in direct formic acid and direct methanol micro laminar flow fuel cell arrangement. Comparison was done with commercial Pd/C (30 wa, ETEK) catalyst. The formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) studied in different acid media (0.1 M HClO4, 0.5 M H2SO4 and 0.5 M H3PO4), indicated an enhanced FAOR activity on nanowire-like as compared to nanopartides and nanorods as well as the commercial one in each electrolyte. Besides, the nanowire-like Pd/C catalyst also favored methanol (MOR) in 0.1 M KOH. These facts confirm favorable morphological effect of nanowires for organic fuel oxidation in both acid and alkaline media. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.