Graphene　nanoribbons　decorated　with　noble　metal　nanoparticles　possess　great　catalytic　performance　for　ethanol　oxidation　in　direct　ethanol　fuel　cells.　Herein,　PtPd　alloy　catalysts　supported　on　graphene　nanoribbons　are　researched,　and　an　appropriate　Pt-Pd　component　with　the　mole　ratios　of　0.46:0.54　is　found　to　possess　excellent　catalytic　activity　and　durability.　Moreover,　the　density　functional　theory　analysis　shows　that　the　composite　catalyst　with　Pt:Pd　ratio　of　1:1　owns　the　highest　negative　electronic　property　and　the　high　adsorption　energy　to　restrict　CO　adsorption.　The　great　CO　anti-poisoning　ability　may　be　the　main　reason　for　the　excellent　catalytic　performance　of　Pt0.46Pd0.54/GNRs　catalyst.　©　2015　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.