Abstract
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•Synthesis of poly 2,5 - dimethoxy aniline (PDMA), cobalt tungstate (CoWO4), and CoWO4 @PDMA hybrid nanocomposite by ultrasonication strategy.•The potential for MOR for the FTO / CoWO4 @PDMA hybrid nanocomposite is 0.80 V with a current density of 6.4 mA / cm2.•The electrocatalytic activity of CoWO4 @PDMA hybrid nanocomposite is due to the synergistic interaction of CoWO4 over the PDMA matrix which favours MOR.•CoWO4 @ PDMA hybrid nanocomposite can be a promising fuel cell electrocatalyst for DMFC’s in the near future.
In this study cobalt tungstate (CoWO4) nanoparticles decorated over PDMA (Poly 2,5 dimethoxy aniline) are utilized as a novel hybrid nanocomposite for methanol oxidation. The CoWO4 and PDMA were synthesized using an ultrasonication strategy. The physicochemical characterization such as SEM, HRTEM, XRD, and FT-IR affirmed the presence of CoWO4 over PDMA matrix. The electrocatalytic activity of the investigated CoWO4 decorated over the PDMA matrix towards methanol oxidation indicates good performances since the potential is lowered when compared to other materials that are reported. CoWO4@PDMA hybrid nanocomposite gave methanol oxidation at 0.80 V with a current density of 6.4 mA/cm2. The presence of CoWO4 offered good stability and retention for methanol oxidation reaction. On the whole, the present study will satisfy low-cost and stable transition metal–based nanocomposite for fuel cell applications.