Microporous carbon with large surface area was prepared from polyaniline base using K(2)CO(3) as an activating agent. The physicochemical properties of the carbon were characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, elemental analyses and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement. The electrochemical properties of the microporous carbon as anode material in lithium ion secondary battery were evaluated. The first discharge capacity of the microporous carbon was 1108 mAh g(-1), whose first charge capacity was 624 mAh g(-1), with a coulombic efficiency of 56.3%. After 20 cycling tests, the microporous carbon retains a reversible capacity of 603 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1). These results clearly demonstrated the potential role of microporous carbon as anode for high capacity lithium ion secondary battery. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.