An electrocatalyst support comprising of carbon nanotube and tin oxide (CNT/SnO 2 ) was prepared by an ethylene glycol mediated synthesis procedure and proposed as an improved catalyst support for direct methanol fuel cell. CNTs are covered by the porous SnO 2 layer which is homogeneously distributed over CNT surface. PtRu alloy nanoparticles were deposited over this composite material by a hydrothermal synthesis method. The CNT/SnO 2 composite and its supported PtRu catalyst (PtRu/SnO 2 /CNT) were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrocatalytic activity of PtRu/SnO 2 /CNT catalyst for methanol oxidation has been studied by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry. The results were compared with Pt/SnO 2 /CNT and PtRu/CNT catalysts synthesized by the same procedure. PtRu/SnO 2 /CNT catalyst shows an electrochemically active surface area of 81.84 m2 gPt−1 and a mass activity of 890 mA mgPt−1. The presence of SnO 2 layer over CNT can further improve the electrocatalytic activity of PtRu alloy nanoparticles for methanol oxidation.