Platinum-TiO₂ nano-composite catalyst for application in direct methanol fuel cells was prepared by loading Pt on to TiO₂ nanotube powders synthesized by rapid breakdown anodization technique. Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction results show that platinum loading on TiO₂ nanotubes did not affect the tubular morphology and crystallinity. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the platinum nano-particles of 3.5 nm average size are evenly distributed on TiO₂ nanotubes. The presence of oxygen vacancy, Ti³⁺ and Pt in the catalyst are confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical active surface area calculated from cyclic voltammetric studies in acid and alkaline media show that the electrochemical active surface area of the nano-composite catalyst is larger in acid medium than in alkaline medium. The cyclic voltammetric investigation of methanol oxidation, at the Pt–TiO₂ nano-composite electrode, confirmed that the catalyst exhibits lower onset potential for methanol oxidation and larger J_f/J_r ratio compared to those given in the literature. The catalyst poisoning rate determined from chronoamperometry shows that Pt–TiO₂ nano-composites in acid medium has slower poisoning rate compared to that in alkaline medium. The Pt–TiO₂ nano-composites prepared appears t o be a promising catalyst for application in direct methanol fuel cells operating in acid and alkaline media.