The composite of MnO and carbon pyrolysis from PTCDA (named as MnO/C-p) has been synthesized via a facile adsorption of Mn2+ on 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), followed by thermal annealing process. PTCDA is employed as a precursor of carbon and forms a tube shape via calcination. As anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), this interesting and novel construction promotes electron transport and cycling stability. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap of conjugated polymers by the B3LYP/6-31g (d), genecp/lanl2dz functional and basis set, demonstrates the wonderful potential of electronic transmission, resulting in the high electron transport efficiency and great conductivity of the MnO/C-p composite. The favorable reversible capacity of 1066 mAh g(-1) is maintained after 100 cycles under a current density of 100 mA g(-1). The tube shape carbon from PTCDA pyrolysis optimizes the stability and electroconductivity of the framework, thereby, obtaining the extraordinary electrochemical properties. The interesting synthesis process and structure provide a new approach for anode materials of LIBs. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.