The modification of N-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) is an innovative approach to change the properties of multiwall-carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Here we report a facile hydrothermal treatment to synthesize NCQDs-MWCNT support, which acts as an improved catalyst support of Pt-based anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells. The structural properties of homemade catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicate that Pt nanoparticles are well dispersed onto NCQDs-MWCNT and have a synergetic interaction with NCQDs. The results of electrochemical measurements reveal that Pt/NCQDs-MWCNT catalyst exhibits 13 times higher activity for methanol electrooxidation than that of Pt/MWCNT. The enhanced performance of Pt/NCQDs-MWCNT is attributed to the fact that NCQDs improve the dispersion of MWCNT and more uniform Pt nanoparticles are stabilized on NCQDs-MWCNT. NCQDs play a critical role in electrocatalytic performance for methanol electrooxidation. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.