The　Bi-modified　Pt　nanoparticle　catalysts　using　multi-walled　carbon　nanotubes　as　supports　are　prepared　through　microwave　treatment　and　long-term　standing　approaches.　Bi　can　easily　modify　Pt　catalyst　because　of　the　strong　affinity　between　Bi　and　Pt.　However,　only　limited　amount　of　Bi　and　uneven　Bi-modified　Pt　catalyst　are　obtained　through　the　long-term　standing　approach.　The　microwave　approach　can　complete　the　synthesis　rapidly　and　get　uniform　Bi-Pt/CNT　catalysts.　X-ray　photoelectron　spectroscopy　shows　that　Bi　(III)　and　Pt　(0)　species　are　the　main　form　in　the　Bi-Pt/CNT　catalyst.　Cyclic　voltammetry　indicates　that　the　modification　of　Bi　on　Pt/CNTs　leads　to　an　enhanced　activity　up　to　260%　compared　to　Pt/CNTs　for　ethanol　electro-oxidation.　The　current　of　Bi-Pt/CNTs　(0.1:1)　is　44.8　times　higher　than　that　of　Pt/CNTs　at　-0.3V　for　1800s.　Linear　current　sweep　results　reveal　that　the　electro-oxidation　of　residual　intermediate　species　can　be　effectively　promoted　because　the　adsorption　of　OHad　species　is　enhanced　by　the　addition　of　Bi　to　Pt/CNTs,　which　is　characterized　by　the　higher　open　circuit　potential.　©　2012　Elsevier　B.V.