This work investigated the stability of a Sn-modified Pt electrode, which was used for reduction of nitrate, fabricated by an adsorption or electro-deposition of Sn on Pt. In order to find the causes for instability of the electrode, the effects of the solutions in which the electrode was used and the potential applied to the electrode on the electrochemical and metallurgical behaviors of Sn on Pt were studied. The Sn of freshly- prepared modified-Sn Pt electrode existed as Sn hydroxide form, which brought about an easy loss of the electro-activity of the electrode even staying in water, especially in acid solution. When the Sn-modified Pt electrode was used for the reduction of nitrate, the electro-activity of the electrode was affected depending on the potential applied to the electrode. When a more negative potential than the redox equilibrium potential between Sn(OH)2 and Sn was applied to the electrode, the Sn hydroxide was converted to Sn that could diffused into Pt, which leaded to the loss of electro-activity of the electrode as well. The solid diffusion of Sn increased linearly with the applied potential. The Sn-electrodeposited Pt electrode which had more Sn on the electrode was more favorable to maintaining the integrity of the electrode during the reduction of nitrate than the Sn-adsorbed Pt electrode prepared in the under-potential deposition way.