The modification of mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) anodes with nonionic surfactants for secondary lithium batteries is described. The surfactant treatment drastically improves the wettability of MCMB anodes and inhibits passivation from solid electrolyte interface formation. The surface layer resistance for a lithiated MCMB anode that was treated with surfactant was identical to the surface layer resistance for an unlithiated MCMB anode. In addition, the treatment also resulted in a much lower charge-transfer resistance and yielded batteries which exhibit faster charging and improved cycle life. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.