Well-dispersed Pt nanoparticle-loaded graphene nanocomposites were prepared by a combination of solvothermal and seed-mediated methods. 60 wt% Pt loaded graphene nanocomposites were prepared without any aggregation of Pt nanoparticles and had high electrochemical active surface area and good activity for methanol oxidation in comparison to 60 wt% Pt loaded Vulcan XC-72 catalyst. The nanocomposite also exhibited stable electrochemical activity performance during the cycling test. These results reveal that the solvothermal graphene is a promising support material to improve the electrochemical performance of Pt catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.