The electrochemical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/Co3O4 blended anodes are characterized. Such blending is an attractive strategy because it takes advantage of the original properties of the individual materials without causing such damage as could easily occur during the pretreatment process for the fabrication of a composite. The CNTs/Co3O4 blended anode showed considerable capacity and a greatly enhanced rate capability compared with a Co3O4 anode. Cyclic performance of Co3O4 anode was also dramatically improved by blending with CNTs. This result may be attributed to the good conductivity and mechanical flexibility of CNTs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.