Electrochemical deposition of Pt-Ru on diamond electrodes for the electrooxidation of methanol

► We prepare PtRu nanoparticle clusters on diamond by electrodeposition routes. ► Sequential deposition of the two elements is compared with a simultaneous deposition route. ► Sequential deposition produces a dendritic structure which is unstable because of loss of Ru. ► Simultaneous Pt and Ru electrodeposition gives the best electrocatalyst for methanol oxidation.