The present invention disclose a method for preparing non-noble metal catalysts (NNMCs) using non-porous, thermally decomposable chemicals as the catalysts' porosity precursors. The composition of these and other precursors are detailed below, along with the variety of conditions involved in the catalysts' manufacture. In one aspect, the individual precursors comprise: a) a non-porous salt that thermally decomposes upon heat treatment, releasing gas and acting as the porosity precursor; b) a nitrogen- and carbon-containing organic compound that undergoes structural changes upon heat-treatment, therefore acting as the N- and C-precursor; and c) a non-noble metal precursor. In another aspect, the synthesis method comprises: a) the mixing of the precursors; b) a first heat-treatment step; c) an acid-washing step to remove possible side phases; and d) a second heat treatment step that increases the material's ORR-activity and yields the final catalyst.
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