In this work, low-platinum PtRu/C alloy nanoparticles have been synthesized by microwave assisted ethylene glycol reduction as electrochemical catalysts toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). Their Ru content dependence of phase composition was comparatively discussed with the phase diagram of bulk PtRu catalysts, their catalytic performance to MOR was also studied and co-related with the physicochemical characteristics. The results reveal that PtRu alloy nanoparticles have wider monophase range than the bulk PtRu alloys, and the hcp-structured catalyst exhibits better MOR activity and durability than the catalyst with fcc structure. (c) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.