Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode. A cathode catalyst is disposed on the cathode and the cathode catalyst includes nitrogen doped platinum nickel (PtNiN) nanoparticles loaded on mesoporous carbon. The PtNiN nanoparticles have an average diameter between about 1.0 nm and about 10.0 nm, the mesoporous carbon has a plurality of pores, the majority of the pores have an average pore diameter less than about 8.0 nm, and at least a portion of the PtNiN nanoparticles are disposed within the majority of the pores having an average pore diameter less than about 8.0 nm.