Tungsten oxide nanowires (W18O49 NWs) were directly grown on carbon paper by chemical vapor deposition. Well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles, with a size distribution from 2 to 4 nm, were deposited on the surface of W18O49 NWs through a simple reductive process. The resulting Pt/W18O49 NW/carbon paper composites formed a three-dimensional electrode structure. in comparison to conventional Pt/C electro-catalyst, the Pt/W18O49 NW/carbon paper composite exhibited higher electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction and better CO tolerance in a single cell polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.