Non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) were obtained by pyrolysis of iron citrate and polyacrylonitrile on mesoporous xerogel carbon support. Chemical-physical characterizations, electrochemical studies by the rotating disc electrode, and electrochemical tests in a PEMFC configuration demonstrated that the porosity of the pristine carbon promotes the formation of graphene and carbon nanotube structures featuring ORR catalytic activity. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.