This work reports a platinum (Pt) nanoflowers-carbon quantum dots (CQD) composite based electro-catalyst for ultra-high performance methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) wherein CQD was prepared by a novel, single-step, inexpensive, environmental-friendly pyrolysis method followed by electro-deposition of Pt nanoflowers homogeneously distributed over CQD modified electrode for excellent electrocatalytic properties and optimum usage of Pt nanostructures. The Pt-CQD composite displayed a significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity, excellent stability, lower onset potential (0.26 V) with CO tolerance ability (I f /I b = 5.58) which is, to the best of authors’ knowledge, ~2.1 times greater than other earlier reported carbon nanomaterials supported catalysts. Values of I f and I f /I b of Pt-CQD composite is 5.28 and 2.04 folds higher than only Pt which is ascribed to its greater electrochemical surface area because of the presence of oxygen-rich functional groups in CQD, the synergistic effects of CQD and Pt and excellent utilization of Pt nanoflowers on CQD support. Thus, this binder-free composite exhibits huge potential to be used as an economical, effective and stable electro-catalyst for MOR. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.