Pt and Pt-Ru nanowire array electrodes were obtained by do (direct current) electrodeposition of Pt and Ru into the pores of an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template on a Ti/Si substrate. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination showed all the nanowires had a uniform diameter of about 30 nm. The brush shaped Pt and Pt-Ru nanowire array electrodes could be seen clearly by scanning electron microscope. Pt and Pt-Ru nanowire array electrodes gave the X-ray diffraction pattern of a face-centered cubic (fee) crystal structure. The electro-oxidation of methanol on these electrodes was investigated at room temperature using cyclic voltammetry. The results demonstrated that the alloy nanowire array electrode was catalytically more active than a pure platinum nanowire array electrode and the Pt-Ru nanowire array electrode may have good potential for applications in portable fuel cell power sources. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.