Carbon nanocoils (CNCs) synthesized via the catalytic graphitization of resorcinol-formaldehyde gel were investigated as an electrocatalyst support in PEMFC anodes. Their textural and physical properties make them a highly efficient catalyst support for anodic hydrogen oxidation in low temperature PEMFC. When the oxidation of adsorbed CO was studied, a shift of 140 mV is observed compared with the commercial catalysts (Pt/C E-TEK) which is expected to be a key parameter in the fuel cell (PEM) performance. Furthermore, the behaviour of the electrocatalysts prepared was compared with that of a Pt/C E-TEK in a 5 cm(2)PEM fuel cell. At room temperature, results showed a 4% increase in current density at 0.6 V in comparison with the Pt/C E-TEK electrocatalysts. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.