The nanocomposite material prepared via the intercalation of polyaniline in V2O5 matrix has been used as the support for Pt in methanol oxidation reaction. The average particle size of the Pt as evaluated from the high-resolution transmission electron microscope was found to be 4 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that vanadium is present in the form of V2O5 and Pt in the metallic state. The activity of methanol oxidation of the Pt loaded nanocomposite electrode as evaluated from cyclic voltammetry was found to be 111 mAcm(-2) at +0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl for a Pt loading of 50 mu gcm(-2). The chronoamperometric response reveals the better activity and stability of the nanocomposite electrode compared to the bulk Pt electrode. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.