The three-dimensional (3D) nitrogen-doped graphene/CuO composites (CuO/NG) were fabricated via a facile method. We completed the nitrogen-doping and construction of 3D structure by using metal-phthalocyanine as precursor in a single step. The CuO/NG exhibited a high capacity of 1056 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C in the first cycle and maintained a capacity of 610 mAh g(-1) after 40 cycles, showing good cycle and rate performance. Thus, we can synthesize different 3D nitrogen-doped graphene/metal nanoparticles composites via choosing corresponding metal-phthalocyanine. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.