Reduced graphene oxide was firstly introduced to synthesize MnO/rGO nanocomposite by a facile pyrolysis method. MnO nanoparticles with an average size of about 30 nm were uniformly decorated on the rGO matrix. Note that the mass content of rGO in the composite is only similar to 6%. The MnO/rGO composite exhibited superior rate capability and improved cycling stability due to the high conductivity and two dimension (2D) structure of the reduced graphene oxide. It could deliver reversible capacities of 952.2, 727.9, 608.7 and 422.4 mAh g(-1) at current densities of 0.1 A g(-1), 1 A g(-1), 2 A g(-1) and 5 A g(-1), respectively and without obvious capacity fading during 150 cycles at the current density of 0.5 A g(-1). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.