Polyaniline (PANI)/tin oxide (SnO2) fibrous nanocomposites were successfully prepared by an in situ chemical polymerization method with suitable conditions. The obtained composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence (PL), electrical conductivity and cyclic voltammetry studies (CV). The XRD pattern of the as-prepared sample shows the presence of tetragonal SnO2 and the crystalline structure of SnO2 was not affected with the incorporation of PANI. The FTIR analysis confirms the uniform attachment of PANI on the surface of SnO2 nanostructures. SEM images show a fibrous agglomerated structure of PANI/SnO2. The PL emission spectra revealed that the band from 404 and 436 nm which is related with oxygen vacancies. The electrochemical behavior of the PANI/SnO2 composite electrode was evaluated in a H2SO4 solution using cyclic voltammetry. The composite electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 173 F/g at a scan rate 25 mV/s. Thus the as-prepared PANI/SnO2 composite shows excellent electrochemical properties, suggesting that this composite is a promising material for supercapacitors. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.