Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) is a promising power source for continuous generation of energy without evolution of any toxic by-products and greenhouse gases. Pt-Ru has been the accepted gold standard anode electro-catalyst for DMFC, but significant advances are required to enhance its performance and stability. A complexed sol-gel (CSG) approach has been used to develop nanostructured powder materials. Herein we report a novel CSG process to synthesize nanoparticulate high specific surface area (HSA), completely unsupported Pt(Ru) based electro-catalyst exhibiting three fold higher electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and ultra high electrochemical performance compared to commercially available Johnson Matthey Pt-Ru black catalyst, the currently accepted gold standard. Furthermore, in identical single full cell DMFC configuration tests for methanol oxidation, current and power densities similar to 40% higher than that displayed by Johnson Matthey catalyst is achieved. (c) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.