Catalysts containing platinum (1 and 10 wt.%) or cobalt oxide (10, 50 and 90 wt.%) and nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (N-CNFs) were synthesized. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, CO chemisorption and temperature-programmed reduction methods were used to reveal that pyridine-like nitrogen of N-CNFs is involved in the anchoring of metal or oxide particles on the carbon surface and determines their size, electronic state and redox ability, thus changing the catalytic performance of the catalysts in the oxidation of carbon monoxide. Various models of particle stabilization on the surface of N-CNFs were proposed: (1) stabilization of nanoparticles with the retention of their metallic state by the pyridine-like site; (2) stabilization of electron deficient nanoparticles by a pair of pyridine-like nitrogen sites and (3) stabilization of electron deficient nanoparticles by the pyridine-like site near the carbon vacancy. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.