Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) synthesized from the precursors of carbon nitrogen and transition metals were investigated as an alternate cathode catalyst foe alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) The procedures to synthesize the catalyst and the post-treatment were tailored to refine its electrocatalytic properties for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline electrolyte 1 he results indicated that the performance of NPMCs prepared with carbon-supported ethylenediamine-transition metal composite precursor and subjected to heat-treatment shows comparable activity for oxygen reduction with Pt/C catalyst The NPMC exhibits an open circuit potential of 0 97 V and a maximum power density of 177 mW cm (2) at 50 C when tested in anion exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved