SnO2/graphene nanosheet composite is fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method, characterized by SnO2 nanoparticles as small as 4 nm anchored on the reduced graphene oxide nanosheets by L-ascorbic acid (SnO2/L-RGO). The as-made SnO2/L-RGO composite exhibits excellent lithium storage performance with the high initial discharge and charge capacities around 2004.9 and 1262.1 mA h g(-1) at the current density of 100 mA g(-1). The SnO2/L-RGO electrode also exhibits high reversible capacity with the 660.8 mA h g(-1) remained after 300 cycles at the high current density of 500 mA g(-1). Moreover, the SnO2/LRGO electrode shows exceptional rate capability. The experimental results indicate that the combination of reduced graphene oxide by L-AA significantly boosts the cycling stability and rate capacity performance of SnO2 by effectively accommodating the large volume variation as well preventing the electrode from pulverization. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.