The electro-oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) on PtMe/Cs (Me = Ru, Sn, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, and W) and Pt/C electro-catalysts were investigated in an aqueous half-cell, and compared to the methanol oxidation. The addition of a second metal enhanced the tolerance of Pt to the poisonous species during the DME oxidation reaction (DOR). The PtRu/C electro-catalyst showed the best electro-catalytic activity and the highest tolerance to the poisonous species in the low over-potential range (< 0.55V, 50 degrees C) among the binary electro-catalysts and the Pt/C, but at the higher potential (> ca. 0.55 V, 50 degrees C), the Pt/C behaved better than PtRu/C. The apparent activation energy for the DOR decreased in the order: PtRu/c (57 kJ Mol(-1)) > Pt3Sn/C (48 kJ mol(-1)) approximate to Pt/C (46 kJ mol(-1)). On the other hand, the activation energy for the MOR showed a different turn, decreased in the following order: Pt/C (43 kJ mol(-1)) > Pt3Sn/C (35 kJ mol(-1)) > PtRu/C (34 kJ mol(-1)). The temperature dependence of the DOR was greater than that of the oxidation of methanol (MOR) on the PtRu/C. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.