The aim of this study was to investigate the synthesis of inorganic materials using cellulose as a template by thermal treatment of the precursor. Cellulose-based composites have been successfully fabricated by an efficient microwave-assisted method. The influences of heating time on the phases and shape of the precursor were investigated. Mn2O3 materials were obtained by thermal treatment of the precursor at 600°C for 3h in air. The morphology of cellulose composites was preserved after thermal transformation to form Mn2O3. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). A rapid microwave-assisted method with the thermal post-treatment provides a promising route for the fabrication of inorganic materials using natural polymer as a template.