The microstructure and electrochemical activity of the Pt-Ru supported by nitrogen-containing carbon nanotubes (CNx NTs) directly grown on the carbon cloth have been investigated. The CNx NTs directly grown on the carbon cloth (CNx NTs-carbon cloth composite electrode) were synthesized using microwave-plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition first and then use as the template to support the Pt-Ru nanoclusters subsequently sputtered on. The ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox reaction in cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements showed a faster electron transfer on the CNx NTs-carbon cloth composite electrode than the one with carbon cloth alone. Comparing their methanol oxidation abilities, it is found that the Pt-Ru nanoclusters supported by the CNx NTs-carbon cloth composite electrode have considerably higher electrocatalytic activity than the carbon cloth counterpart. This result suggests high performance of the CNx NTs-carbon cloth composite electrode, and demonstrates its suitability for direct methanol fuel cell applications. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.