Nanosized Sn-Co prepared by ultrasonic-assisted chemical reduction is milled with artificial graphite (AG) to form Sn-Co-AG composite. The as-prepared materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry and Brunauer-Emmett-Telle (BET) surface area measurement. XRD patterns show that Sn-Co particles are poorly crystallized and artificial graphite has a typical hexagonal graphite structure phase. The diffraction peaks of Sn-Co particles remain the same but some of AG obviously change after milling Sn-Co with AG. BET areas of AG, Sn-Co and Sn-Co-AG are 1.569, 13.187 and 6.754 m(2) g(-1), respectively. SEM images display the as-prepared Sn-Co particles have a size distribution ranging from 20 to 70 nm in diameter. After milling Sn-Co with AG, Sn-Co particles keep similar morphology but there is a perceptible change in AG. Electrochemical tests show that Sn-Co-AG composite possesses much improved electrochemical performance than the state-of-the-art graphite. This composite has great potential as an alternative material for improving the energy density of a lithium ion secondary battery. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.