Objective To artificially control the morphology and electro-catalytic performance of Pt-Ni alloy catalysts in the process of electrodeposition by controlling the parameters of carbon cloth hydrophilicity and electrolyte temperature. Methods Potentiostatic electrodeposition was employed to prepare Pt-Ni alloy catalysts with different morphologies. 5 wt% Nafion was used to modify the surface hydrophilicity of the carbon cloth substrates. The electrolyte temperature was subsequently controlled. The physical and electrochemical performances of the electrodeposited catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction ( XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrograph ( EDS), cyclic voltammetry ( CV), and single cell polarization test technique. Results The Pt-Ni alloy particles electrodeposited on the Nafion-modified carbon cloth were fine and homogeneous. Single cell performance of the electrode with moderate Nafion loading of 0. 8 mg / cm2 was the best. Compared with Pt-Ni alloy with snowflake-like particles fabricated at lower temperature, the Pt-Ni alloy with spherical particles fabricated at higher electrolyte temperature had higher electrochemical active surface area ( ECSA) and better electrocatalytic performance. Among them, the Pt-Ni prepared at 50 ℃ had the highest ECSA of 47. 6 m2 / (g Pt) and the highest power density of 77. 8 mW / cm2 in single cell. Conclusion The electrocatalytic performance of Pt-Ni electrodeposited on the Nafion-modified carbon cloth is more superior to that of unmodified samples. Electrolyte temperature has significant impact on the morphology of electrodeposited Pt-Ni alloy catalysts.