A three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (3D-RGO) material has been successfully prepared by a facile hydrothermal method and is employed as the negative additive to curb the sulfation of lead-acid battery. When added with 1.0 wt% 3D-RGO, the initial discharge capacity (0.05 C, 185.36 mAh g(-1)) delivered by the battery is 14.46% higher than that of the control cell (161.94 mAh g(-1)); and the cycle life under the high-rate partial-state-of-charge (HRPSoC) condition is significantly improved by more than 224% from 8142 to 26,425 cycles. In comparison to the conventional carbon additions like the activated carbon and acetylene black, the 3D-RGO also exhibits the highest initial discharge capacity, the best rate capabilities and the longest HRPSoC cycling life. Finally, we propose a possible mechanism for 3D-RGO to suppress lead-acid battery sulfation, where the abundant pore structure and excellent conductivity of 3D-RGO may have a synergistic effect on facilitating the charge and discharge process of negative plate. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.