MnO/C composites with hollow porous structure have been successfully synthesized by a facile biotemplating method combine with chemical bath deposition (CBD) method followed by calcination treatment. The natural porous lotus pollen grains are used as the biotemplate as well as the carbon source. The biological carbon could effectively enhance the electrical conductivity of MnO and cushion the strain arising from the charge/discharge cycles. Due to the unique structure, MnO/C composites exhibit a high reversible specific capacity of 730 mAhg(-1) at a current density of 0.1 Ag-1 with excellent cycling stability. Even at a high current density of 3 A g(-1), a remarkable reversible capacity of 430 mAhg(-1) could still be delivered. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.