Tungsten nitride supported on carbon black was prepared by temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) process and is proposed as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The as-prepared catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The ORR activities of the catalyst were studied by electrochemical measurements and single cell tests, respectively. The results indicated that the tungsten nitride electrocatalyst exhibited attractive catalytic activity and stability for the ORR in PEMFCs. It is expected to be a promising cathode electrocatalyst for PEMFCs, especially for the comparatively high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.