LAUSR

By using hierarchically mesoporous silica spheres as hard template, 2-aminopyridine and FeCl3 as carbon, nitrogen and iron sources, respectively, iron and nitrogen co-doped hierarchically mesoporous carbon spheres (Fe–N–CS) were successfully prepared. The sample Fe–N–CS-900 obtained at a carbonization temperature of 900 °C exhibited a highly efficient electrocatalytic activity with positive half-wave potential (−0.11 V), high limiting current density (−4.79 mA cm−2) and high selectivity (electron transfer number around 4) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media. Moreover, Fe–N–CS-900 shows higher stability and better methanol tolerance in comparison to commercial Pt/C catalyst in both alkaline and acidic media. Its highly efficient ORR activity could be ascribed to its high specific surface area, unique porous structure and homogeneous distribution of Fe–Nx active sites formed during pyrolysis.