Three-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets framework (N-CNF) has been obtained starting with cellulose acetate. The product is prepared through a so-called one-step method that carbonization, activation and nitrogen-doping occur simultaneously. The resultant N-CNF shows an architecture like graphene hydrogel with interconnected hierarchical porous structure, N-doping with high nitrogen content (8.7 wt) and high specific surface area (1003.6 m(2) g(-1)). The N-CNF electrode displays excellent electrochemical performances due to the unique architecture and pseudocapacitance contribution from heteroatoms. In the three-electrode configuration, the N-GNF achieves a high specific capacitance of 242 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) and displays ultrahigh rate capability (83.4% capacitance retention at 100 A g(-1)) in 6 mol L-1 ICOH electrolyte. The symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) based N-CNF exhibits energy density as high as 60.4 Wh kg(-1) (at a power density of 1750 W kg(-1)) and 17.9 Wh kg(-1) (at 850 W kg(-1)) in ionic liquid and aqueous electrolytes, respectively. It is surprised that the single device filled by ionic liquid electrolyte is able to light easily 60 red light-emitting diodes (LEDs, 2.2 V) in parallel after charging for only 10 s, showing an excellent energy storage/release performance. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.