In this report, we have designed a novel SnO2 nanosheets/nickel/polyvinylidene fluoride ternary composite as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. The SnO2 nanosheets are uniformly coated on the surface of nickel/polyvinylidene fluoride conductive fiber, as confirmed by XRD, SEM, and TEM characterizations. As an anode material for lithium ion batteries, this as-prepared ternary composite delivers a high capacity of 865.4 mAh g(-1) at 200 mA g(-1) after 60 cycles. Furthermore, the SnO2 in this composite material exhibits a good capacity retention as well as rate capability. This result indicates the completely reversible reaction between Li4.4Sn and SnO2, greatly improving the specific capacity of SnO2. The ternary SnO2/Ni/PVDF composite limits the volume expansion on lithium insertion, and buffer spaces during charge/discharge, resulting in the excellent cyclic performances. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.