Designing and preparing catalysts with high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) using a simple, low-cost, and industry-viable approach remains a challenge. In this work, N-doped graphene (N-G) and cobalt species modified N-doped graphene (Co-N-G) are synthesized via a facile two-step and low-cost reactive template approach, and this method did not suffer from complicated manipulation, high cost and corrosive precursors. The resultant catalyst Co-N-G at 800 degrees C (Co-N-G-800) exhibits relatively high surface area (up to 388.6 m(2) g(-1)) and nitrogen content (6.23 wt%). Compared to N-doped graphene (N-G), Co-N-G-800 displays greatly improved ORR catalytic performance, such as more positive ORR peak potential, higher half-wave potential, and larger current density. The enhanced ORR performance of Co-N-G-800 can be attributed to the synergetic effect of the high conductivity of graphene matrix, high proportion of pyrrolic-nitrogen, and Co-N-x active sites. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.