Catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cell and method for producing the same

A catalyst for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which supported is a catalytic metal alloyed by adding a third metal in addition to platinum and cobalt. The catalyst has an improved initial activity and durability, and a production method of the catalyst is also provided. More specifically, the catalyst for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a carbon powder carrier on which platinum, cobalt, and zirconium are supported as catalytic metals, and is characterized in that an amount of platinum, cobalt, and zirconium supported on the carbon powder carrier falls within a molar ratio of Pt:Co:Zr = 3:0.5 to 1.5:0.1 to 3.0. In the present invention, a peak position of PhCo observed in an X-ray diffracti(;m pattern of a catalytic particle is 28 = 41.10 DEG or more and 42.00 DEG or less, and it is preferable that the catalytic metal has a moderate alloyed state.