The advanced oxygen evolution catalysts in alkaline solution play a growing role in alternative energy devices due to the need for clean and sustainable energy. In this paper, we report the cobalt phosphate nanoparticles embedded in N-doped carbon (Co-3(PO4)(2)@N-C) using N,N'-piperazinebis (methylene-phosphonic acid) as both phosphate and carbon sources by two-step, hydrothermal method. The prepared Co-3(PO4)(2)@N-C annealed at 600 degrees C exhibits advanced OER performance, with a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) at a lower overpotential of 290 mV, a Tafel slope of 82 mV dec(-1) and superior durability in 1.0 M KOH solution. This kind of material with MOF as precursor has wide application prospect in electro-chemistry field, especially for OER.