NiO nanoflakes with mean size about 2 mu m and mean thickness about 20 nm have been successfully synthesized via a simple two-step method. Electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized NiO nanoflakes as anode electrode of lithium ion batteries were studied by conventional charge/discharge tests, showing initial discharge and charge capacities of 1213 mAh g(-1) and 902 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 100 mA g(-1). After 50 cycles, the discharge and charge capacities of NiO nanoflakes electrode were 1015 and 990 mAh g(-1), respectively. The first discharge and charge capacities of the as-prepared NiO electrode were 749 and 541 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 800 mA g(-1), being of 578 and 567 rnAh g(-1) after 50 cycles. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.