Highly dispersed fine Pt and PtRu alloy particles on carbon support were prepared for polymer electrolyte fuel cell catalysts by alcohol-reduction method using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer. The prepared catalysts were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. This method has advantages over its simplicity and the straight reduction of chloride salt without any modification. Also, highly uniform nanoparticles were obtained and the structure and morphology of catalysts could be easily controlled. Comparison of the catalyst prepared by this method against commercial catalysts shows that it has a promising activity in oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.