Mn3O4 nanoparticles and Mn3O4/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites are prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis method. MnO and MnO/CNTs composites are obtained by heating Mn3O4 and Mn3O4/CNTs at 500 for 3 h in flowing Ar/H-2. The phase structure, composition and morphology of the composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical properties of the composite electrodes are studied by performing cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge and discharge tests. The results reveal that the Mn3O4/CNTs and MnO/CNTs electrodes exhibit higher specific capacity at the current density of 100 mAh g(-1) and a better cycle performance than pure Mn3O4 and MnO electrodes. The excellent electrochemical properties of Mn3O4/CNTs and MnO/CNTs electrodes can be attributed to the presence of CNTs in the composites offering an electron conducting network and suppressing the volume expansion of Mn3O4 and MnO particles efficiently during the charge and discharge processes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.