The nanoporous RuO2 center dot 3.38H(2)O was synthesized with a surfactant template using sodium dodecyl sulfate. The surface area of the material amounted to 220 m(2) g(-1) while the maximum specific capacitance obtained was 870 Fg(-1) at a scan rate of 10 mVs(-1). The specific capacitance of nanoporous RuO(2 center dot)3.38H(2)O electrode exhibits enhancement, compared with other porous RuO2 materials synthesized by different methods. The nanoporous RuO2 center dot 3.38H(2)O is a very promising material for high performance capacitance. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.