Phosphotungstic acid‐Titania loaded polyaniline nanocomposite as efficient methanol electro‐oxidation catalyst in fuel cells.

Summary: In this study, we report a new phosphotungstic acid‐Titania embedded polyaniline (PANI/PTA/TiO2) nanocomposite modified hybrid electrode for efficient methanol electro‐oxidation reaction. The PANI/PTA/TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared via a simple in‐situ polymerization method. The fabricated modified electrode's surface morphology and elemental analysis were characterized using field‐emission scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and mapping technique. The phase structure and molecular vibrational studies were identified using an X‐ray diffraction and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopic techniques. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrodes was studied using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic techniques. The PANI/PTA/TiO2 nanohybrid modified electrode displayed the superior electro‐catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation reaction at 0.2 V potential with the charge transfer resistance of 218 Ω, and showed excellent stability up to 1200s in an alkaline medium. The developed nanocomposite material can be used as a potential nanohybrid anode catalyst for the application of direct methanol fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]