This work develops a versatile and effective approach of protective decoration to improve the catalytic performance of nanostructured catalysts. The commercial platinum-carbon catalyst is decorated with polydopamine carbide via self-polymerization and pyrolysis processes. The electrocatalytic performance of the novel polydopamine carbide decorated platinum-carbon catalyst is characterized by voltammogram. Origin of improvement in its performance is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope. It is exhibited that the catalytic activity and durability for oxygen reduction reaction and methanol tolerance of the polydopamine carbide decorated platinum-carbon catalyst are enhanced. The promoted effects result from the thermal treatment and decoration of polydopamine carbide which provides N species, slightly alters the Pt electronic structure and prevents Pt from agglomeration during long-term potential cycling. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.