Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) PR24-PS and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) Baytubes were functionalized by oxidation with nitric acid and further amination with gaseous NH3 Thus Au and Au-Pd nanoparticles were prepared by PVA/NaBH4 system and anchored on the surface of pristine carbon nanostructures (CNS) and N-CNS (nitrogen functionalized carbon nanostructures) TEM analysis revealed that the introduction of nitrogen functionalities improves the dispersion of the metal nanoparticles on the surface of the support This phenomena leads to an improved activity of N-CNS based catalysts with respect to pristine CNS when tested in the liquid phase oxidation of alcohols (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved