The electrodeposited nickel nanocone-arrays without any template are introduced to Sn-based anode materials as current collector for lithium ion battery. Nickel nanocone-arrays are tightly wedged in the electrodeposited Sn film, and thereby enhance the interfacial strength between active materials and substrate. Furthermore, annealing is conducted to form Sn-Ni alloy, in which Ni renders an inactive matrix to buffer volume change during cyclic lithiation/delithiation. The nanocone-arrays supported Sn-Ni alloy anode shows satisfactory Li(+) storage properties with the first reversible capacity of 807 mAh g(-1). The charge capacity for the 50th cycle is 678 mAh g(-1), delivering good retention rate of 99.6% per cycle. These improved performances of nickel nanocone-arrays supported Sn-Ni alloy anodes indicate the potential of their application as electrode materials for high performance energy storage. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.