Mesoporous polythiophene birnessite (b)-MnO2 has been synthesized by a modified interfacial method to develop cathode electrode materials for lithium batteries. The N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherm test of mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 shows a type IV hysteresis loop, which is characteristic of a mesoporous structure. Mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 has a high surface area of 226 m(2) g(-1) with a pore diameter of 5.2 nm The mesoporous polythiophene b-MnO2 cathode electrode for Li-ion battery exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 305 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 10 mA g(-1), which is almost equal to its theoretical capacity. When applying a current of 300 mA g(-1), mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 electrode shows the initial discharge capacity of 211 mAh g(-1), which is 69% of its theoretical capacity. Mesoporous polythiophene MnO2 shows high capacity and good cycle stability even at high current densities due to its high surface area and fast Li-ion diffusion path. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.