Carbon-based films with nitrogen species on their surface were prepared on a glassy carbon (GC) substrate for application as a non-platinum cathode catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Cobalt and carbon were deposited in the presence of N-2 gas using a pulsed laser deposition method and then the metal Co was removed by HCl-washing treatment. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity was electrochemically determined using a rotating disk electrode system in which the film samples on the GC substrate were replaceable. The ORR activity increased with the temperature of the GC substrate during deposition. A carbon-based film prepared at 600 degrees C in the presence of N-2 at 66.7 Pa showed the highest ORR activity among the tested samples (0.66V vs. NHE). This film was composed of amorphous carbons doped with pyridine type nitrogen atoms on its surface. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.