The sequential chemical reduction of metals (copper or silver) and platinum was used to prepare M@Pt/C electrocatalysts that contain a high content of platinum on the surface of bimetallic nanoparticles. The compositions, microstructures and electrochemical behaviors of these electrocatalysts were studied using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, X-ray fluorescence analysis, TEM and cyclic voltammetry. Depending on the composition and mode of synthesis, the obtained electrocatalysts have electrochemically active surface areas ranging from 35 to 61 m(2) g(-1) (Pt). The presence of nanoparticles with a core-shell structure was directly confirmed for Cu0.9Pt0.1@Pt/C sample. Copper-containing electrocatalysts exhibited better stability during voltammetric cycling compared to a similar composition of commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst and Ag0.9Pt0.1@Pt/C systems, but one of Ag0.9Pt0.1@Pt/C electrocatalysts has shown the highest specific activity in ORR. Copyright (c) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.