In situ palladium/nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon hybrids as highly active and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

N-doped ordered mesoporous carbon–Pd hybrids are successfully fabricated through a facile synchronous-assembly method. The metallic Pd nanoparticles with uniform diameter around 15 nm were inserted into the ordered mesoporous carbon matrix, while the nitrogen element is also successfully doped into ordered mesoporous carbon. The composite can not only facilitate electrolyte infiltration but also ensure fast electronic transmission for their high surface area and good electroconductivity. By adjusting the amount of doped N to 3 wt%, the open-framework structure of the ordered mesoporous carbon can be maintained and the composite exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The catalyst shows the onset potential of − 0.045 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 M KOH, which is comparable to commercial Pt/C. Moreover, the N-doped ordered mesoporous carbon–Pd hybrids show outstanding methanol tolerance in alkaline media. The significant performance towards ORR is attributed to the uniform Pd nanoparticles and successful doped nitrogen along with the special open-framework structure.