ZIF derived PtNiCo/NC Cathode Catalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

•Pt/Pt alloy and single Pt atoms are anchored on defects rich carbon support.•PtNiCo/NC showed halfwave potential of 0.91 V while Pt/C showed 0.87 V.•PtNiCo/NC catalyst showed a peak power density of 1070 mWcm−2.•PtNiCo/NC exhibited excellent stability in fuel cell with no loss in performance.•Synergistic effect among nitrogen doped carbon, Co/Ni active sites and Pt/Pt alloy.