A first attempt to synthesize and explore SnO2 pinned CuFe2O4 material as an anode for lithium-ion batteries has been made. The study highlights the approach of exploiting SnO2 pinning to enhance the electrochemical properties of nanocrystalline CuFe2O4 anodes. Virgin CuFe2O4 and SnO2 pinned CuFe2O4 powders were synthesized with 10-30 nm via under a one pot solution combustion method with specific calcination conditions. It is further understood that SnO2 pinning has reduced saturation magnetization and bulk resistance and thereby enhanced the charge-discharge characteristics of native CuFe2O4 anodes significantly in rechargeable lithium cells. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society.