Gas flow sputtering (GFS) at increased pressures results in the formation of nanoscale particles of the sputtered material. This process has been evaluated regarding its applicability for synthesizing Pt catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Catalyst layers of varying Pt-loadings were deposited directly onto carbon fiber paper (gas diffusion layers, GDLs). Immediately after deposition, the catalytic activity of the resulting particulate deposits was tested by H-2-oxidation at predefined ratios of H-2/O-2. The Pt deposits were subsequently evaluated regarding their applicability in a PEMFC environment.