The synthesis and characterization of carbon-supported PtRu nanoparticles were carried out by Impregnation and colloidal methods and products were compared with commercial carbon-supported PtRu. To confirm the characteristics of the synthesized PtRu nanoparticles, TEM (and EDX), XRD, and electrochemical analysis were performed to evaluate alloy formation, surface structure, chemical composition of the nanoparticles, and the electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The impregnation method was relatively easy and straightforward but the average particle size was in excess of 3 nm and the size distribution was broad. However, colloidal methods involved more complicated procedures and required a heat treatment to increase activity, resulting in an average particle size of up to 2.2~2.3 nm, The heating conditions used, to achieve a higher catalytic activity, were investigated. A simpler nanoparticle synthetic method that results in a small particle size and high activity without a heat treatment would be desirable.