Exploring non Pt-based catalysts with high ORR performance still remains a great challenge in the development of energy conversion and storage devices. The aim of this study is preparing a novel ORR catalyst (Sm2O3 embedded in nitrogen doped carbon by calcination processes, named as Sm2O3-CN-1100) to substitute Pt catalysts. And the results of this study show that Sm2O3-CN-1100 displays good electrocatalytic activity towards ORR, with high stability, strong tolerance to methanol crossover, and a quasi 4-electron transfer process, making it a promising Pt alternative ORR catalyst. The satisfactory ORR performance would result from the mosaic structure of Sm2O3 embedded in nitrogen doped carbon layer and the strong coupling effect between Sm2O3 and nitrogen doped carbon. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.