There is growing interest in the research of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is the key issue for the commercialization of zinc-air (Zn-air) battery. Except precious metal based electrocatalysts, heteroatom-doped carbon materials, as one promising catalyst, also show excellent catalytic activity for ORR. In this work, cobalt phosphide (Co2P) and nitrogen, fluorine and phosphorus co-doped mesoporous carbon is synthesized in one step by a phosphorus-containing ionic liquids assisted route. Owing to the synergy effect of Co2P and functionalized mesoporous carbon, the catalyst exhibits a high half wave potential of 0.86 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) which is about 30 mV positive than commercial Pt/C, coupled with outstanding stability. At last, the discharge potential of the primary zinc-air battery based on this catalyst is 1.1 V at a constant current density of 50 mA cm(-2) (150 mV higher than Pt/C electrode) while the capacity is about 800 mAh g(zn)(-1). At the same time, the superior power density is also realized for the zinc-air battery using this catalyst (180 mW cm(-2)). (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published.by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.