REDUCTION CATALYST COMPRISING PALLADIUM-GOLD ALLOY

Provide is a reduction catalyst, which comprises conductive carbon and a palladium-gold alloy supported on the carbon, wherein the alloying degree of said alloy is 50 to 100%. This palladium-supported catalyst has an excellent reduction ability, and exhibits a high conversion ratio and preferably an excellent selectivity when used for hydrogenation reaction. The reduction catalyst is useful as a catalyst for oxygen reduction or as a catalyst for hydrogenation. The catalyst for oxygen reduction is useful as a cathode electrode catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The cathode electrode catalyst can be used for a cathode electrode for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.