Single-crystal alpha-MnO2 nanorods were prepared by hydrothermal reaction of single KMnO4 under acidic conditions. The nanorods have a diameter of 30-70 nm and a length up to 2 mu m. The formation mechanism for the alpha-MnO2 nanorods was investigated. Electrochemical properties of the MnO2 nanomaterials prepared for different hydrothermal times were characterized by galvanostatic charge/discharge tests and cyclic voltammetry ( CV) studies. The results indicate that the MnO2 nanorods prepared for 5 and 8 h show fine capacitive behaviour with high specific capacitances of 71.1 and 70.9 F g(-1), respectively.