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Silver nanoparticles (∼30–70 nm) have been impregnated on the activated graphite powder by an electroless plating method. The so prepared silver decorated graphite powders are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The activated graphite powder displays a high surface coverage with tin which is essential, as this ensures a thorough and complete coating of the graphite powder with silver. The electrochemical studies of Graphite, Sn/Graphite and successive decoration of Ag–Sn/Graphite powder have been carried out using cyclic voltammetry in the potential range between −1.2 and 0.0 V at a sweep rate of 50 mV s−1 and their electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation has been examined in alkaline medium. The effective active surface area of Graphite and Ag–Sn/Graphite electrode are calculated to be 6.2479 × 10−5 cm2 and 6.7886 × 10−5 cm2, respectively. The impedance spectrum of the Ag–Sn/Graphite electrode displays a depressed semicircle in the high-frequency region which corresponds to low charge resistance and high capacitance. The results highlight the electrocatalytic behavior of the graphite supported silver nanoparticles, making them suitable for fuel cell applications. Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Electro catalyst, Graphite powder, Electroless deposition, Methanol oxidation