A two-step solution-phase method was used to grow Mn3O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets to create a Mn3O4-RGO hybrid material for lithium-ion batteries. The hybrid material showed a high specific capacity of ~900 mAh/g, close to its theoretical capacity of ~936 mAh/g, with good rate capability and cycling stability. This was attributed to the intimate interaction between the graphene substrate and the Mn3O4 nanoparticles, which allowed for efficient charge transfer. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles were grown selectively on RGO sheets, enabling electrical connectivity through the conductive graphene network. The hybrid material outperformed free Mn3O4 nanoparticles in electrochemical performance, showing a capacity of ~780 mAh/g at 10 times higher current density and ~390 mAh/g at 1600 mA/g, which is higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite. The hybrid material also retained ~730 mAh/g after 40 cycles at 400 mA/g, demonstrating excellent cycling stability. The study highlights the potential of Mn3O4-RGO as a promising anode material for high-capacity, low-cost, and environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries. The growth-on-graphene approach offers a new technique for designing and synthesizing battery electrodes based on highly insulating materials. The hybrid material was prepared by first hydrolyzing Mn(CH3COO)2 in a GO suspension, followed by hydrothermal treatment to form well-crystallized Mn3O4 nanoparticles on RGO. The hybrid material was mixed with carbon black and PVDF to prepare a working electrode, and electrochemical measurements were conducted in coin cells. The results showed that the Mn3O4-RGO hybrid material had a high capacity and good rate capability, with a voltage plateau at ~0.4 V indicating the Li+ charge reaction. The hybrid material outperformed free Mn3O4 nanoparticles in electrochemical performance, demonstrating the effectiveness of the graphene substrate in enhancing the performance of highly insulating materials. The study also highlights the importance of the graphene-nanoparticle interaction in achieving good dispersion and cycle stability. The hybrid material was shown to be a promising candidate for high-capacity, low-cost, and non-toxic anode materials for battery applications.A two-step solution-phase method was used to grow Mn3O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets to create a Mn3O4-RGO hybrid material for lithium-ion batteries. The hybrid material showed a high specific capacity of ~900 mAh/g, close to its theoretical capacity of ~936 mAh/g, with good rate capability and cycling stability. This was attributed to the intimate interaction between the graphene substrate and the Mn3O4 nanoparticles, which allowed for efficient charge transfer. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles were grown selectively on RGO sheets, enabling electrical connectivity through the conductive graphene network. The hybrid material outperformed free Mn3O4 nanoparticles in electrochemical performance, showing a capacity of ~780 mAh/g at 10 times higher current density and ~390 mAh/g at 1600 mA/g, which is higher than the theoretical capacity of graphite. The hybrid material also retained ~730 mAh/g after 40 cycles at 400 mA/g, demonstrating excellent cycling stability. The study highlights the potential of Mn3O4-RGO as a promising anode material for high-capacity, low-cost, and environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries. The growth-on-graphene approach offers a new technique for designing and synthesizing battery electrodes based on highly insulating materials. The hybrid material was prepared by first hydrolyzing Mn(CH3COO)2 in a GO suspension, followed by hydrothermal treatment to form well-crystallized Mn3O4 nanoparticles on RGO. The hybrid material was mixed with carbon black and PVDF to prepare a working electrode, and electrochemical measurements were conducted in coin cells. The results showed that the Mn3O4-RGO hybrid material had a high capacity and good rate capability, with a voltage plateau at ~0.4 V indicating the Li+ charge reaction. The hybrid material outperformed free Mn3O4 nanoparticles in electrochemical performance, demonstrating the effectiveness of the graphene substrate in enhancing the performance of highly insulating materials. The study also highlights the importance of the graphene-nanoparticle interaction in achieving good dispersion and cycle stability. The hybrid material was shown to be a promising candidate for high-capacity, low-cost, and non-toxic anode materials for battery applications.