Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles were electrochemically dispersed on single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles by electro-reduction of the Pt(IV) complex formed on the SWNT surface. The structure and elemental composition of the resulting Pt/SWNT composite were characterized by transmission electron micrograph (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The electrocatalytic properties of the Pt/SWNT electrode for methanol oxidation have been investigated by cycle voltammetry (CV). A high electrocatalytic activity and excellent stability of the Pt/SWNT electrode can be observed. This may be attributed to the high dispersion of platinum nanoparticles and the particular properties of the SWNT supports. The results imply that the Pt/SWNT composite has good potential applications in fuel cells. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.