PtRu and PtRuSn catalysts have been made by thermal decomposition of chloride precursors on different types of and combinations of titanium mesh for the electro-oxidation of methanol. The catalytic activity of the electrodes is determined by galvanostatic polarization measurement and SEM is employed to study their morphology and structure. The electrochemical performance of the catalysts thermally deposited on a double layer titanium mesh shows a large increase in catalytic activity for methanol electro-oxidation, compared to other electrodes. Such an electrode, with a different anode structure to that of carbon supported catalyst, possesses good electrochemical performance and may be a promising alternative anode for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.