PtRu/C electrocatalysts (carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles) were prepared submitting water/ethylene glycol solutions containing Pt(IV) and Ru(III) ions and the carbon support to gamma-irradiation. The water/ethylene glycol ratio (v/v) and the total dose (kGy) were evaluated as synthesis parameters. The electrocatalysts were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD). transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cyclic voltammetry and tested for methanol electro-oxidation aiming fuel cell application. The obtained PtRu/C electrocatalysts were more active for methanol electro-oxidation than the commercial PtRu/C electrocatalyst at ambient temperature and the electrocatalytic activity depends on the water/ethylene glycol ratio used in the preparation. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.