Ultrafine Pt nanoparticles (PtNP5) with the diameter of similar to 2.5 nm were successfully confined within Fe,N-codoped robust 3D graphene (Fe-N/R3DG) via facile polyol-assisted reduction strategy. Owing to the synergistic effect between the active catalyst (PtNP5) and the support (Fe-N/R3DG), the as-obtained composite exhibited better cyclic stability and long-term durability as well as less methanol toxicity, moreover, 8 times higher specific activity than the commercial Pt/C for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. The results bring new insight into the design of excellent ORR catalyst. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.