Ultrathin microporous carbon (UMPC) for lithium sulfur (Li-S) cathode with uniform pore width of approximately 0.6 nm and dozens nm in thickness is synthesized with graphene oxide as template by glucose hydrothermal carbonization and surfactant-assisted assembling method. The UMPC supplies desirable S pregnancy space and the intimate contact between UMPC and S, therefore improving the conductivity of S@UMPC composite and dynamic performance. Smaller sulfur molecules limited in UMPC thoroughly prevent the formation of electrolyte-soluble polysulfides, hence excellent cycling performance with 900 mAh g(-1) after 150 cycles is kept. Ultrathin three-dimensional carbon nanosheets are significant to fast electron transfer and Li+ diffusion contributing to excellent dynamic performance (710 mAh g(-1) at 3 C). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.