A novel nano-Sn/mesoporous carbon parasitic composite is prepared via two simple steps, firstly impregnation and secondly reduction. The mesoporous carbon and the composite are characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP-AES). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the composite, tin nanoparticles with diameters of about 10 to 30 nm are generated and distributed uniformly in the pores of meseporous carbon, and the weight ratio of Sn:C is about 47:53. As anode materials, this composites display a high reversible capacity of 500 mAh g(-1) after 50 cycles at 100 mA g(-1) current rate. It also exhibits a good rate-capability, a reversible capacity as high as 360 mAh g(-1) can be achieved when cycled at 2000 mA g(-1) current rate. The special architecture of the nano-Sn/mesoporous carbon parasitic composite plays important role in the outstanding electrochemical performance. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.004301jes] All rights reserved.