insertion of lithium into, or extraction from, metallic host materials can product volume changes, which lead to rapid mechanical disintegration and deterioration of Li-alloy electrode performance. The cycling properties of Sn-based composite electrodes can be significantly improved by optimizing the morphology and microstructure of lithium storage matrices. Decreasing the particle size of the metallic host powders to a submicron scale and using an intermetallic multiphase structure are effective ways for maintaining electrode mechanical and cycle stability. The fine host powders also enhance the kinetics of the electrochemical Li-alloying process. Besides the granular structure of host matrices, the cycling potential range and the identity of the organic electrolytes also have major influences on the electrode performance.