Design and preparation of highly active catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is important to achieve efficient water splitting. Herein, we report on the use of pyrolyzed cobalt porphyrin/carbon materials as noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for the catalytic OER. The cobalt porphyrin/carbon electrocatalysts were prepared by loading a cobalt porphyrin complex on a carbon support, followed by heat treatment under argon atmosphere. Cyclic voltammetry showed that the maximum catalytic activity was obtained after heat treatment at 1000 degrees C. The turnover frequency was similar to 0.078 s(-1) based on cobalt under an applied anodic potential of 1.31 V (vs NHE) at pH = 9.2. The catalyst was further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). These results indicate that the pyrolyzed cobalt porphyrin/carbon nanomaterial is a promising catalyst for OER. Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.