The interaction between Pt and carbon in Pt nanoparticles (NPs)-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite has been investigated with Pt Wedge and C K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structures (XANES) recorded in surface- sensitive total electron yield (TEY) and bulk-sensitive fluorescence yiek[ (FLY). XANES in TEY shows that Pt NPs on CNTs have a fec structure and the white-line features of the XANES strongly support that the crystalline Pt NPs interact with CNTs through synergic bonding involving charge redistribution between C 2p-derived states and Pt 5d bands. Such interaction facilitates the immobilization of Pt NPs on CNT surface without generating oxygenated functional groups. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.