We produced carbon hybrid materials of graphene sheets decorated with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles of gold, silver, copper, cobalt, or nickel from cation exchanged graphite oxide. Measurements using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectra revealed that the Au and Ag in the materials (Au-Gr and Ag-Gr) existed on graphene sheets as metal nanoparticles, whereas Cu and Co in the materials (Cu-Gr and Co-Gr) existed as a metal oxide. Most Ni particles in Ni-Gr were metal, but the surfaces of large particles were partly oxidized, producing a *Corresponding author. Tel/Fax: +81 86 251 7776 E-mail address: kgotoh@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp (K. Gotoh) 2 core-shell structure. The Ag-Gr sample showed a catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction in 1.0 M KOH aq. under an oxygen atmosphere. Ag-Gr is superior as a cathode in alkaline fuel cells, which should not be disturbed by the methanol crossover problem from the anode. We established an effective approach to prepare a series of graphene-nanoparticle composite materials using heat treatment.