Carbon-coated graphene was synthesized through pyrolysis of a polyaniline-graphite oxide (PANI-GO) precursor by annealing in an Ar and H-2 atmosphere at various temperatures. X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectra, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the pyrolyzed PANI-GO at different temperatures. The PANI on the graphene at temperatures above 650 degrees C was completely converted into a nanocarbon film. Galvanostatic charge-discharge tests revealed that PANI-GO-800 exhibited improved rate and cycle capabilities over that of graphene due to the increased conductivity in the out-of-plane direction.