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A detailed study of the structure, morphology and electrochemical properties of Pt/C and Pt/x-SnO₂/C catalysts synthesized using a polyol method has been provided. A series of catalysts supported on the SnO₂-modified carbon was synthesized and studied by various methods including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical methods, and fuel cell testing. The SnO₂ content varies from 5 to 40 wt %. The TEM images, XRD and XPS analysis suggested the Pt-SnO₂ hetero-clusters formation. The SnO₂ content of ca. 10% ensures an optimal catalytic layer structure and morphology providing uniform distribution of Pt-SnO₂ clusters over the carbon support surface. Pt/10wt %-SnO₂/C catalyst demonstrates increased activity and durability toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in course of accelerated stress testing due to the high stability of SnO₂ and its interaction with Pt. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell current−voltage performance of the Pt/10wt %-SnO₂/C is comparable with those of Pt/C, however, higher durability is expected.