Antimony-coated mesophase graphite powder (MGP) composites are developed as an alternate anode material for Li-ion batteries using an argon atmosphere pyrolysis technique. The specific discharge capacity and cycle life of the Sb-MGP composites are studied. The Sb loading of the Sb-MGP has a significant effect on the composite performance. The Sb-MGP samples demonstrate improved lithium storage capacity. The Sb loading on MGP is optimized experimentally to obtain the maximum reversible capacity for composite electrodes. The reaction processes of lithium intercalation/de-intercalation in MGP and alloying of lithium/Sb are identified by cyclic voltammetry. ICP and EDS measurements confirm the presence of Sb in the MGP matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) scans of lithium intercalated anodes show that Sb loading on the MGP material reduces the thermal stability of the anode. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.