Vanadium oxide decorated carbon nanotubes as a promising support of Pt nanoparticles for methanol electro-oxidation reaction

► VOx-MWCNTs were studied as a support of Pt particles in methanol oxidation reaction. ► Vanadium oxide promoter dramatically improves the performance of Pt/MWCNTs. ► Formation kinetics of adsorbed OH group is improved upon VOx addition. ► Pt nanoparticles have higher dispersion on VOx-MWCNTs compared to that on MWCNTs. ► Hydrogen spill over and bifunctional mechanism is facilitated in presence of VOx.