Graphene-encapsulated alpha-Fe2O3 nanorice (GE-FN) has been facilely fabricated via a solution-mixing method at room temperature. The Fe2O3 nanorice with an average of similar to 350 nm was uniformly wrapped in the graphene sheets. As an anode material for rechargeable lithium batteries, this GE-FN composite exhibits enhanced cyclability and rate performance compared with free alpha-Fe2O3 nanorice. Even after 500 cycles, it still delivers a capacity over 1000 mA h g(-1). The morphology of the active materials after the cycling process was also investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and found that the bare alpha-Fe2O3 nanorice agglomerated severely, while the alpha-Fe2O3 nanorice encapsulated by the graphene sheets could keep their pristine morphology well and almost isolate from each other after 500 cycles. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.