In the search for a nanocomposite which can cycle reversibly as a lithium-ion secondary battery anode while utilizing the electrochemical activity of the matrix material, carbon was chosen as the low weight, low volume expansion phase in a nanocomposite with tin. The nanocomposites were synthesized by pyrolysis of a polymer in the presence of a tin precursor. The samples with the most fine-grained, well distributed tin particles exhibited reversible capacities on the order of 400-500 mAh/g. The nanocomposites were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, BET, TEM, and electrochemical cycling. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.