Although scientists have conducted long-term and extensive studies on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyzed by metal-free carbon materials, they mainly have focused on the preparation and properties of various doped carbon materials. There is still a lack of systematic scientific guidance on the relationship between the surface structure regulation and activity of carbon-based catalysts. In this review, some of electrochemical and computational fundamental concepts about ORR are concisely summarized. The effects of edge defect and nonmetallic doping of carbon materials on ORR behavior and mechanism have been reviewed, and activity origin identification and intermediate conversion mechanism have been discussed. The outlooks for future researches on metal-free ORR electrocatalysis are suggested.

尽管科学家们对无金属碳材料催化的氧还原反应（ORR）进行了长期而广泛的研究，但他们主要致力于各种掺杂碳材料的制备和性能。关于表面结构调节和碳基催化剂活性之间的关系，仍然缺乏系统的科学指导。在这篇综述中，简要概述了一些有关ORR的电化学和计算基础概念。综述了碳材料的边缘缺陷和非金属掺杂对ORR行为和机理的影响，并讨论了活性来源识别和中间转化机理。提出了无金属ORR电催化研究的未来展望。