A novel method for synthesis of phosphomolybdic acid-modified Pd/C catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

► A novel method is proposed to synthesizing Pd/HPMo-PAN-C catalyst. ► Pd/HPMo-PAN-C catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction. ► HPMo species increase the ORR electron transfer number of Pd nano-particles. ► Pd/HPMo-PAN-C catalyst is very stable in acidic medium even though HPMo is soluble.