Nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide supports for noble metal catalysts with greatly enhanced activity and stability

► N-doped reduced graphene oxide (NRGO) with high N content was created by lyophilization-assisted and mild N-doping method. ► Dominant pyridinic-N and quaternary-N forms in NRGO enhance dispersed state of Pt and electron density of supports. ► Pt/NRGO catalyst shows superior catalytic activity and nearly no loss of activity after 1000 potential cycles. ► Doped-N in NRGO would be exposed as bench-warmer active sites with potential cycles.