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

Abstract

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.