We implement the ab initio van der Waals (vdW) calculations at the density functional level of theory (vdW-DF) for the investigation of Pt adsorption ability of Al-doped carbon nanotubes (Al-CNTs). We present and discuss the energetically favorable sites for a single Pt atom adsorbed on the surface of Al-CNTs. Our results show significantly increment in the binding energy of Pt on the Al-CNT compared with pristine CNTs. We also find that Pt adsorption ability of Al-CNTs is more stronger than that of B- and N-doped CNTs. This is explained by the negative charges introduced in the neighboring C atoms by dopant atom. Our results verify that Al-doped CNTs seems to be more suitable materials for Pt adsorption than pure and also B- and N-doped CNTs. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.