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Bioinspired nitrogen-rich carbon-coated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (NRC@ZIF-8) has been prepared by simple impregnation and carbonization of novel N rich C source "nitrodopamine" (NDA) with ZIF-8 through eco-friendly solvothermal approach and employed as an electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Fabricated NRC@ZIF-8 nanocomposite-based electrode offers surprisingly high ORR electrocatalytic activity by providing high anchoring sites for O 2 adsorption due to the availability of positively charged N atoms of nitro group, increased surface defects, improved surface compatibility, promote heterolytic O–O bond cleavage rather than homolytic cleavage and offer fast electron transportation capability. Additionally, it improves interfacial binding efficacy due to functionalization of nitro group with ZIF-8, thus leading to high half wave potential value (E 1/2 = 0.91 V), high tolerance against methanol poisoning (91.88%) and remarkable stability even better than dopamine (DA) derived nitrogen carbon-coated ZIF-8 (NC@ZIF-8), commercial Pt/C and other related bioinspired materials. • Fabrication of novel bioinspired N rich C coated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (NRC@BM-ZIF). • The novel NRC@BM-ZIF provides positively charged O 2 adsorption sites to support ORR. • Our system promotes heterolytic O–O bond cleavage rather than homolytic cleavage. • Our system offers high half wave potential value and high tolerance against methanol poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]