Polycrystalline tin oxide nanotubes have been prepared by a layer-by-layer technique on carbon nanotubes template. Firstly, the surface of carbon nanotubes was modified by polyelectrolyte. Then, a uniform layer of tin oxide nanoparticles was formed on the positive charged surface of carbon nanotubes via a redox process. At last, the polycrystalline tin oxide nanotubes were synthesized after calcination at 650 degrees C in air for 3 h. The as-synthesized polycrystalline nanotubes with large surface area exhibit finer lithium storage capacity and cycling performance, which shows the potentially interesting application in lithium-ion battery. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.