In this study, a series of Fe-based non-noble metal and non-macrocycle catalysts, FeTETA/C, for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have been synthesized by pyrolyzing carbon-supported iron triethylenetetramine chelate at various temperatures in an inert atmosphere. Electrochemical characterization revealed that heat treatment temperature plays an essential role on improving the catalytic property of the obtained catalysts for ORR, and the optimal could be achieved at 800 degrees C with an ORR peak potential of 0.751 V and an electron-transfer number of 3.85. Furthermore, the obtained optimal catalyst has excellent methanol-tolerance and acceptable acid-resistance. The effects of heat treatment temperature on microstructure of the catalysts as well as the elemental state on the optimal catalyst surface have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.