In the current research, a manganese and cobalt oxides-based nanocatalyst was developed which was used to make an efficient cathode electrode for fuel cells. The nano MnOx/ MnCo2O4 was synthesized through a hydrothermal procedure followed by sintering at 500–600 °C. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy besides electrochemical techniques were applied for the characterization of the synthesized nanocatalyst. The carbon black type Vulcan (XC-72R) and PTFE were used to prepare the active reaction material of the cathode electrode named carbon paste (CP). Loading of the synthesized nano MnOx/ MnCo2O4 on CP was optimized in a weight ratio of 10–90% for the oxygen reduction process in neutral conditions. The best performance was gained for the 50 W% MnOx/ MnCo2O4 loaded CP, whose active surface area was twice the bare CP. The values of the exchange current density of the ORR obtained by electrode containing 50 W% MnOx/ MnCo2O4 was calculated as 0.12 mA/cm2. The low price, good catalytic efficiency, and cyclic stability of the MnOx/ MnCo2O4 nanocatalyst compared to the commercial platinum-based catalysts confirm its ability to develop fuel cell electrodes.

Achievement of an efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalyst based on carbon boosted with MnOxMnCo2O4 with excellent electrocatalytic activity in neutral media
    Abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Experimental
        2.1 Chemicals and materials
        2.2 Synthesis of MnOxMnCo2O4 nanocatalyst
        2.3 Electrode construction
        2.4 Physical and electrochemical investigations
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Characterization of the MnOxMnCo2O4 nano electrocatalyst
        3.2 Electrochemical studies
    4 Conclusions
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Masoumeh Ghalkhani(Electrochemical Sensors Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Lavizan, P.O. Box 1678815811, Tehran, Iran) Corresponding author
• Rasol Abdullah Mirzaie(Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Lavizan, P.O. Box 1678815811, Tehran, Iran)
• Fatemeh Shahmoradi(Electrochemical Sensors Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Lavizan, P.O. Box 1678815811, Tehran, Iran, Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Lavizan, P.O. Box 1678815811, Tehran, Iran)
• Azam Anaraki Firooz(Fuel Cell Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Lavizan, P.O. Box 1678815811, Tehran, Iran)