Herein, new catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) (Pt-CoN nanoparticles supported on TiN carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) were successfully prepared via the simple polymerized complex method and heat treatment in NH3. Through this facile two-step synthesis, metal chlorides were first transformed to the corresponding oxides, then reduced to metal particles or nitrides. The synthesized Pt-CoN/TiN-CNT electrocatalysts showed excellent electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction and high tolerance against methanol in acidic medium. The ORR onset potential of Pt0.3CoN/TiN-CNT (0.812 V vs. RHE) is higher than that of 40 wt% commercial Pt/C (0.789 V vs. RHE) due to the synergistic effect between nano-platinum particles and metal nitrides. The TiN-coated CNT support provided high electron transfer rate and catalytic tolerance in methanol solution. The number of transferred electrons was examined by rotating ring-disk electrode measurements, which concurred with the result of the Koutecky-Levich equation for a four electron mechanism. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.