An induced active palladium nanoparticle (Pd NP) on multiwall carbon nanotube with polypyrrole matrix (MWCNT/PPy/Pd) was prepared and their physiochemical properties were investigated. The XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis showed the important amine and imine linkage at 400.3 eV and 398.8 eV for the interaction of the polymer matrix. FTIR spectroscopy proved the polypyrrole stretching frequencies and palladium nitrogen interaction (Pd-N at 1618 cm(-1)). TGA-DSC analysis showed that 51% of polymer composite remained up to 1000 degrees C. The developed nanocomposite (NC) catalytic ability was tested in p-nitrophenol reduction and methanol oxidation studies. The kinetic rate constant (k) was 0.193 min(-1) and NC exhibited good reusability up to 10 cycles for p-nitrophenol reduction. The electrochemical measurements indicate that MWCNT/PPy/Pd has a significantly high active surface area (3.13 cm(-2)), low onset potential and high current density. MWCNT/PPy/Pd ternary NC is a capable candidate for both electro-oxidation of methanol and a reduction of 4-nitrophenol. (C) 2018 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.