Cr2O3 was investigated as an anode active material for Li-ion batteries due to its low electromotive force value. Reversibly Li-storage mechanism is mainly related to the reactions Cr2O3 + 6Li --> 2Cr + 3Li(2)O. The initial discharge and charge capacity of Cr2O3 was 1166 and 771 mAh/g. Bare Cr2O3 electrodes showed poor cyclic performance due to large volume change. Cr2O3/C composite with core/shell structure showed good capacity retention and improved first-cycle coulombic efficiency, which could benefit from maintaining good electronic contact of active particles during cycling and avoiding the formation of unstable solid electrolyte interface film on the surface of the Cr2O3 particles. (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.