MnO is a promising anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), but a big challenge remains in impeding its structural and kinetic deterioration in the lithiation/delithiation process. In this study, we report that the structural integrity and electrochemical kinetics of MnO electrodes can be significantly enhanced by homogenously embedding MnO nanoparticles in robust carbon microsheets. The MnO/C microsheets were synthesized by sintering polyurethane (PU) sponge grafted with manganese polyacrylate at 800 degrees C. At a current density of 100 mA g(-1), the resulting microsheets delivered a high reversible capacity of 797.6 mAh g(-1) after 50 cycles. They also exhibited good cycling stability and rate capability of 323.2 mAh g(-1) at 2000 mA g(-1), showing one of the best lithium storage properties among the reported MnO anodes. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the buffering, confining and conducting effects of robust carbon microsheets on MnO nanoparticles. These synergistic effects allow the hybrid microsheets to keep good structural integrity, high electronic conduction, and fast electrochemical kinetics in the cycling process. Our findings offer an alternative strategy to address the structural and kinetic issues of a MnO anode in the lithiation/delithiation process, which might be extendable to other electrode materials of LIBs. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.