Ag-CoFe2O4/C with one-pot solvothermal synthesis is described as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution. Compared to Ag/C and CoFe2O4/C, the Ag-CoFe2O4/C catalyst shows better activity for ORR in term of half-wave potential. The ORR on Ag-CoFe2O4/C mainly favours 4e(-) reaction pathway. Compared to Pt/C, Ag-CoFe2O4/C exhibits good methanol tolerance and durability for ORR in alkaline solution. Furthermore, the Ag-CoFe2O4/C also displays high catalytic activity for OER. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.