Ammonia-treated brown coal and its activity for oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte fuel cell

► Australia brown coal utilized as a non-precious metal catalyst. ► High activity of 1073 K, NH3-treated coal for the oxygen reduction reaction in PEFC. ► Active structure was discussed based on the XPS, Raman, N2 adsorption and iron effect. ► Related to the pyridine-N species, microporosity and degree of disordered carbons.