This paper reports on an experimental setup wich enables us to investigate planar model catalysts in an environment closely resembling the environment found in an actual direct methanol fuel cell. The working electrodes were nano-structured catalyst particles immobilised on planar supports, reducing many of the commonly present non-catalyst related effects in conventional porous electrodes. Colloidal lithography was used for nano-structuring the samples. Nation was used as electrolyte. Results are presented for the oxidation of methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and carbon monoxide at temperatures between 30 and 70 degrees C on Pt particles supported on glassy carbon disks. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.