A novel copper nanoparticles/bean dregs-based activated carbon composite (CuNPs/AC) for pseudo capacitors has been successfully prepared by the electroless plating and thermal treatment method. The physical properties of materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and nitrogen adsorption/ desorption isotherm measurements. Electrochemical performances of electrodes were measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and cycle life. Research results show that the CuNPs could be effectively deposited onto the surface of AC for preparing Cu-activated carbon composites. Moreover, the CuNPs/AC electrode exhibits low charge transfer resistance of 1.68 Omega high specific capacitance (268 Fg(-1) at 1 A g(-1)), good rate performance, considerable energy and power densities of 31.8 W h kg(-1) and 502.9 W kg(-1), good cycling stability with 88.5% capacitance retention after 3000 cycles at 2 Ag-1 in 4M [Cu(NO3)(2)+ NH4NO3] (CN+NN) redox active electrolytes, indicating that the CuNPs/AC composite would be a promising electrode materials for pseudocapacitors. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.