The invention provides a high activity electrode catalyst for fuel cells
whose catalytic activity due to an expensive noble metal, such as
platinum, has been improved to a higher level through the use of an
inexpensive material to enable a reduction in noble metal catalyst usage,
a fuel cell in which the above high activity electrode catalyst is used,
a membrane-electrode assembly in which the above high activity electrode
catalyst is used, and a gas diffusion electrode in which the above high
activity electrode catalyst is used. Use is made of an electrode catalyst
for fuel cells comprising a carbon material that contain catalytically
induced turbostratic structures in parts of its structure and noble metal
particles supported thereon, or an electrode catalyst for fuel cells
comprising the catalyst mentioned above and a catalyst comprising carbon
black and noble metal particles supported thereon as mixed together or an
electrode catalyst comprising the catalyst mentioned above and carbon
black as mixed together.