Three dimensional (3D) kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) is synthesized by a facile solvothermal method using oxalic acid (OA) as additive agent. The as-synthesized CZTS samples are further annealed at 400 degrees C in argon atmosphere to obtain the expected samples. The structure and morphology of the expected samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. The results show that the Cu2ZnSnS4 takes on morphology of microspheres with ultrathin nanosheet constituents and has a stoichiometric composition. As a novel anode material for the lithium ion batteries (LIBs), the as-prepared CZTS microstructures exhibit both high reversible capacity and good cycling performance at room temperature under a potential window from 3.0 to 0.01 V (vs. Li+/Li) at current density of 100 mAg (1). The achieved initial discharge capacity is 1125 mAhg (1) and retained at 786 mAhg 1 after 100 cycles, which suggests that the kesterite CZTS can be a promising candidate as a novel anode material for the lithium-ion battery. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.