An innovative approach to the synthesis of nanostructured carbon-supported platinum electrocatalysts for application in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical systems has been developed. Platinum nano-particles were deposited onto the carbon carrier using magnetron-ion sputtering. A special device has been developed to promote the effective stirring of the carbon carrier during catalyst deposition. Electrocatalytic powders thus obtained have been analyzed using XRD and TEM. The electrochemical performances of Pt/C based electrodes were studied in liquid electrolyte and in single-cell PEM fuel cell and water electrolyzer. Adjustment of sputtering process parameters (discharge power, sputtering time, bias voltage) led to the formation of electrocatalysts of high active surface area (up to 44 m(2) g(-1)), high chemical purity and high electrochemical activity. A qualitative correlation between sputtering parameters and characteristics of electrocatalysts was established. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.