This study demonstrates the synthesis of mesoporous carbon materials utilizing the self-assembly of a block copolymer and its electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction. Fine and mesoporous carbon containing ferrum (Fe) and nitrogen (N) species has been successfully synthesized by multi-step pyrolysis of a self-assembled imide film fabricated via a soft template approach. The obtained sample has well-ordered mesostructure accompanied by uniform pores with diameter of 4.8 nm and BET surface area of 1660 m2 g竏�1. This material is tough enough to retain its mesostructured even after mechanical ball milling, which will be essential in the application as a fuel cell catalyst. Promising catalytic activity for electrochemical oxygen reduction owing to enhanced mass transport has been demonstrated. ﾂｩ 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 464窶�470