In the present work, several Pt-based anode catalysts supported on activated carbon XC-72R were prepared by using a novel method, characterized and tested. XRD analysis and TEM images indicated that all of anode catalysts consist of uniform nanosized particles with sharp distribution and that the Pt lattice parameter becomes shorter with the addition of Ru and Pd and bigger with the addition of Sn and W. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements and single direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) tests jointly showed that Sn, Ru and W can enhance ethanol electro-oxidation activity of Pt in the following order: Pt1Sn1/C > Pt1Ru1/C > Pt1W1/C > Pt1Pd1 > Pt/C. The Pt1Ru1/C catalyst was modified with Mo, W and Sn, respectively. It was found that the DEFCs performances were improved with these modified Pt1Ru1/C catalysts as anode catalysts. This distinct DEFC performance behavior is attributed to the so-called bifunctional mechanism and to the electronic interaction between Pt and additives. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.