Highly mesoporous carbon was obtained by carbonization of a polymer xerogel previously synthesized via sol-gel condensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde. The investigation describes electro-oxidation of methanol in alkaline electrolyte using Pt and Pt-Ni catalysts supported on this high surface area mesoporous carbon. The electrocatalytic tests showed better performance of the catalysts when impregnated with this carbon support. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.