Platinum–ruthenium (Pt–Ru) nanoparticles were successfully deposited, for the first time, on the surface of SnO 2 nanowires grown directly on carbon paper (Pt–Ru/SnO 2 NWs/carbon paper) by potentiostatic electrodeposition method. The resultant Pt–Ru/SnO 2 NWs/carbon paper composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrocatalytic activities of these composite electrodes for methanol oxidation were investigated and higher mass and specific activities in methanol oxidation were exhibited as compared to Pt–Ru catalysts deposited on glassy carbon electrode.