Chromium phosphide CrP as highly active and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen electroreduction in alkaline media

•Chromium phosphide CrP nanocrystals were produced for the first time via a facile one-step colloidal synthetic strategy.•CrP nanocrystals were prepared as ORR electrocatalysts for the first time.•CrP/C displayed remarkable activity and stability toward ORR and an absolute tolerance to methanol in alkaline media.•DFT calculations revealed CrP to provide a very strong chemisorption of O2 that facilitates its reduction.