The hybrid films composed of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) macro-films and alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in fine crystalline size (6-20 nm) are prepared by a simple heat treatment of the as-synthesized SWNT macro-films. The SWNT macro-films with superior conductivity and flexibility can facilitate the charge transfer processes as well as accommodate the volumetric change of the alpha-Fe2O3 a nanoparticles due to the Li-intercalated phase transformations, enabling high specific capacities over 1000 mAh g(-1) and an excellent cyclic stability up to 100 cycles for the alpha-Fe2O3/SWNT hybrid films. The increment of the capacity to approach the theoretical capacity of alpha-Fe2O3 a during cycling results from the relaxed conversional reactions between the reduced and oxidized states of iron ions (Fe-0, Fe(II) and Fe(III)). Experimental results have shown that the thickness of the hybrid films has a significant impact on the diffusion coefficient of Li+. With a thickness comparable to Li+ characteristic diffusion length in the range of 300-500 nm, the hybrid films exhibit an optimal electrochemical performance. The findings on the synthesis approach and the thickness effect provide a promising strategy for a large-scale production of high-performance anode materials for Li-ion batteries. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.