The flame synthesis provides a simple low-cost method to produce novel carbon materials. In this study, N, B co-doped carbon (N-B-C) materials have been prepared by flame synthesis. Among many as-prepared samples, the N-B-C catalyst which prepared under carbonization temperature of 1000 degrees C for 3 h with acetonitrile/acetone precursor of 1:1 exhibits the best catalytic activity and stability, as well as good resistance to methanol interference for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), with half-wave potential being almost nearly to Pt/C, and a quasi-four-electron transfer process. This study would provide an economic, environmental feasible and scalable approach for fabricating novel heteroatom co-doped carbon materials for ORR applications. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.