The catalytic activity of a novel nanoparticulate Pt-Ru alloy supported on hydrothermal carbon for dry methane reforming and for the partial oxidation of methane was studied. Upon removal of the carbon support by calcination under air, a mixture of Pt-0 and Ru oxide was obtained and their catalytic properties have been as well investigated for the same reactions. Characterization was performed by N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms (BET surface area and BJH pore size distribution), crystalline structure (XRD) and morphology (scanning and transmission electron microscopy, SEM and TEM). For dry methane reforming the initial activity in both samples was high but the catalysts were readily deactivated in time. Regarding the partial oxidation of methane, the Pt-Ru alloy supported on hydrothermal carbon showed a lower initial activity but a better catalytic stability than its oxidized analogous, suggesting that hydrothermal carbon-supported Pt-Ru alloys could be employed as a potential catalyst in hydrocarbon catalytic oxidations. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.