A 3Pt1Sn/C catalyst was readily synthesized by borohydride reduction and hydrothermal treatment for the anode electrode of a low-temperature fuel cell. The physical and electrochemical characterization of the 3Pt1Sn/C catalyst was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, H-2 adsorption-desorption, methanol oxidation, and CO stripping. In the TEM image, the PtSn nanoparticles were uniformly well-dispersed on the carbon support with an average particle size of around 2.4 nm. The 3Pt1Sn/C catalyst showed higher activity than commercial catalysts, and its onset potential for methanol oxidation was lower, possibly due to the electronic interaction between Pt and Sn and the increase of Pt lattice parameter. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.