Hydrogenotitanate/titania composite nanotubes (HTNTs) are synthesized from anatase titania power via hydrothermal process at various pH values of acid treatment. The change of HTNTs components is investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX), which reveal that the products are gradually converted from "H2Ti2O5 center dot H2O" phase to "anatase TiO2" phase with the decrease of pH values. Pt based catalysts are prepared by microwave-assisted ethylene glycol method. The effects of pH values on the performance of Pt/C-HTNTs catalysts have been mainly investigated. It has been found that the distribution and electrocatalytic properties of platinum nanoparticles are sensitive to the pH value of acid treatment. The Pt/C-HTNTs catalyst prepared at the acid treatment pH value of 7 exhibits the better electrochemical activity and stability than other catalysts. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.