CoOx incorporated in Ag/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (CoOx-Ag/rGO) were synthesized through an one-pot solvothermal method. Electrochemical results showed that CoOx nanoparticles could greatly promote dispersion of anchored Ag nanoparticles and increase the limiting current density for the whole CoOx-Ag/rGO nanocomposites when catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. With CoOx formation beside the Ag nanoparticles, a much higher current density and a preferable four-electron pathway were achieved for the CoOx-Ag/rGO nanocomposites. Meanwhile, the CoOx-Ag/rGO nanocomposites showed remarkable long-term stability and tolerance toward methanol than the commercially available 20% Pt/C catalyst. More importantly, this work could finally lead to a practical significance for developing high-performance bicomponent electrocatalysts with low-cost for fuel cells and relevant electrochemical technologies. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.