In this work, a novel procedure to enhance the catalytic activity of Pt/C for the MOR by promoting surface Pt-Ru metal interactions is proposed. Vulcan is functionalized with home-prepared ruthenium (II) arene compound [(eta(6)-C6H5OCH2CH2OH)RuCl2](2) (Ru-dim) and labeled CRu-dim. Then, Pt/C-Ru_dim is synthesized by the polyol method. Also, Vulcan functionalized with RuC13 XH20 (Ru-com) and non-functionalized Vulcan are used to prepare Pt/CRu-com and Pt/C, respectively. The results show that functionalization with Ru-dim maintains the electronic sp(2) hybridization of the graphitic segment of Vulcan. Physicochemical characterization strongly suggests the formation of Pt-Ru alloyed phases at Pt/CRu-dim : XRD shows about 50% Ru alloyed, while XPS indicates a shift of 0.32 eV toward higher BE of Pt. Such Pt-Ru interactions enhance the performance of Pt/CRu-dim for the MOR in acid media by reaching a current density of 45.0 mA cm 2, two-fold increase compared to Pt/C. Moreover, the on-set potential of 0.25 V determined for Pt/CRu_dim is 0.14 V more negative relative to Pt/C. In summary, Pt/CRu-dim shows enhanced catalytic properties for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.