In this paper, we report the synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation of a mesoporous PtSnO 2 /C catalyst, called PtSnO 2 (M)/C, with a nominal Pt : Sn ratio of 3 : 1. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and transmission electron microscopy characterizations showed the obvious mesoporous structure of SnO 2 in PtSnO 2 (M)/C catalyst. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis exhibited the interaction between Pt and mesoporous SnO 2 . Compared with Pt/C and commercial PtSnO 2 /C catalysts, PtSnO 2 (M)/C catalyst has a lower active site, but higher catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation reaction (EOR). The enhanced activity could be attributed to Pt nanoparticles deposited on mesoporous SnO 2 that could decrease the amount of poisonous intermediates produced during EOR by the interaction between Pt and mesoporous SnO 2 .