Highly graphitic carbon black-supported platinum nanoparticle catalyst and its enhanced electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in acidic medium

► Highly graphitized GCB was obtained by heat-treatment of Vulcan XC-72 at 2800 °C. ► GCB exhibited higher resistance against oxidation than Vulcan XC-72 did. ► Pt/GCB showed superior catalytic activity for the ORR compared to the Pt/Vulcan XC-72.