The use of carbon cathode catalysts in polymer electrolyte fuel cells instead of the current platinum catalysts is attracting increasing attention. We claim that two factors are important for enhancing the activity of carbon cathode catalysts in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR): the formation of a nanoshell structure and co-doping with boron and nitrogen. Herein, we investigate the preparation and characterization of active ORR carbon catalysts that combine the above factors. Boron and nitrogen (BN)-doped nanoshellcontaining carbon (BN-NSCC) was prepared by carbonizing a mixture of poly(furfuryl alcohol), cobalt phthalocyanine, melamine, and a trifluoroborane methanol complex at 1000 degrees C. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the formation of nanoshell structures with distorted graphitic layers and the introduction of boron and nitrogen atoms, respectively. The ORR activity was evaluated in oxygen saturated 0.5 mol dm(-3) H2SO4 using Koutecky Levich analysis. The BN-NSCC showed an eight to ten times higher ORR activity than undoped NSCC, with an increased number of electrons participating in the reaction. Tafel analysis revealed a change in the rate determining step caused by BN-doping. Thus, the combination of a nanoshell structure and co-doping with boron and nitrogen was found to improve the ORR activity of carbon catalysts. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.