alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods with a length of 400-700 nm and a diameter of 20-80 nm, which have singlecrystalline and mesoporous structure, could be obtained from these alpha-FeOOH precursors after calcining at 300 degrees C in air. The as-prepared single-crystalline mesoporous alpha-Fe2O3 nanorodes exhibited a large specific surface area and porosity, effectively increasing the contact area between the electrode materials and electrolyte, minimizing both the ionic and electronic transportation in the Fe2O3 during the chargedischarge process. The porous nanostructure facilitates the faster faradic reaction toward electrolytes and delivers highest specific capacitance (534 F g(-1)) and an excellent long cycle life (upto 1500 cycles) in 1M KOH electrolyte at current density of 4 A g(-1), demonstrating that the porous alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods can serve as an excellent electrode material for supercapacitors. It is believed that the single-crystalline mesoporous alpha-Fe2O3 nanorods are beneficial to the charge transfer in the electrode and to the ion transport in the solution during redox reaction. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.