In this study, a series of Ni-Pt/C and Ni/C catalysts, which were employed as anode catalysts for a direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC), were prepared and investigated by XRD, TEM, cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and fuel cell test. The particle size of Ni-37-Pt-3/C (mass ratio, Ni: Pt = 37:3) catalyst was sharply reduced by the addition of ultra low amount of Pt. And the electrochemical measurements showed that the electro-catalytic activity and stability of the Ni-37-Pt-3/C catalysts were improved compared with Ni/C catalyst. The DEFC employing Ni-37-Pt-3/C catalyst on the anode (metal loading, 1 mg cm(-2)) showed a maximum power density of 221.0 mW cm(-2) at 60 degrees C, while under identical condition the maximum power density was 150.6 mW cm(-2) for Ni/C. Furthermore, the polarization curves and hydrogen evolution behaviors on all the catalysts were investigated on the working conditions of the DBFC. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.