TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The compound is present at less than or equal to 15, preferably 0.1-15 wt.% based on the total weight of the catalyst. The compound is an oxide. The compound is fumed silica, alumina, zeolite, or titania. The compound is uniformly present in the catalyst. The catalytic metal is platinum and an alloy of platinum-transition elements. The transition element is at vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, iridium, tungsten, molybdenum, and/or rhodium. The catalyst comprises catalytic metal and a carrier containing carbon material and the compound. The catalyst is supported on the carbon material and the compound. The catalyst comprises carrier containing carbon material and a compound having a property of absorbing water; and a catalytic metal supported on the carbon material and the compound. The compound includes silicon, aluminum, and/or titanium. The catalytic metal is platinum and an alloy of platinum-transition elements. The carbon material is Vulcan X, ketjen black, activated carbon, or carbon nanotubes. The catalyst has a layered structure. The heat treatment is performed under a reducing atmosphere. The acid is sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and/or nitric acid. The base is sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonia hydroxide, ammonium carbonate, and/or sodium carbonate.Preferred Properties: The catalyst has an average diameter of less than or equal to 5 nm. The catalyst has a layered structure.Preferred Process: The process includes preparing a carrier by mixing a carbon material and the compound. The carbon material is prepared by heat-treating a carbon-based compound under an air atmosphere; subjecting the heat treated carbon-based compound to an acid treatment; and washing the acid-treated carbon-based compound. Preparing the carbon material includes heat-treating the washed carbon-based compound, and drying the catalyst precursor before heat treatment.