Binder-free NiO@MnO2 core-shell structure was deposited on Ni foam used as electrode of supercapacitor. The rod-like NiO core was prepared by thermal decomposition of NiC2O4 synthesized by corrosion of Ni foam with oxalic acid under hydrothermal conditions. Sphere-like MnO2 shell was deposited on the surface of NiO core through hydrothermal treatment with KMnO4 solution. The structure, composition, morphology evolution and surface chemical state of the NiO@MnO2 electrode were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained NiO and NiO@MnO2 electrodes were directly used as electrodes of supercapacitor, and their electrochemical performances were tested with cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the sphere-like MnO2 shell leads to an impressive enhancement of the performance including the areal capacitance (AC) and cycling stability, particular in the AC. To be more specific, the NiO@MnO2 exhibits a high AC of 3.584 F/cm(2) at a current density of 5 mA/cm(2), which is much higher than that of NiO electrode whose AC is 1.483 F/cm(2) at the same current density, demonstrating the potential to use NiO@MnO2 electrode for supercapacitor. At the same time, the related mechanisms for the superior performance were also discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.