Carbon nanocoils (CNCs) were used to prepare Pt and Pt-Ru catalysts by the sodium borohydride (BM), methanol (MM) and polyol (EGM) solution reduction methods. Their physicochemical properties were studied by means of energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, whereas the electrochemical activity towards carbon monoxide and methanol oxidations was studied using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Furthermore, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry experiments were carried out to study the reaction mechanisms. Results were compared with those obtained for the commercial pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts from E-TEK. It is shown that choosing an adequate synthesis procedure, better electrocatalytic behaviours towards CO and methanol oxidation can be obtained by using carbon nanocoils as support material. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.