This paper reports the large-scale synthesis of carbon-coated tin (Sn-C) nanorods through a facile solvothermal carbonization approach by using Sn nanorods as templates and ethanol as a solvent. The as-synthesized Sn-C nanorods have been applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The Sn-C anode, which exhibits relatively higher initial Coulombic efficiency and lithium storage capacities, is more attractive than the previously reported tin oxide or sulfide anodes. The superior performance of the Sn-C nanorods makes it a promising anode material in high-energy density batteries. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.