In this study, a SnO2 based composite composed of SnO2 nanoparticles, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and polyaniline (PANI) sheets was synthesized and evaluated as the anode material of high performance Li-ion batteries. The rGO/SnO2/PANI composite exhibited excellent electrochemical performance including high capacity (1017 mAh g(-1) at 200 mA g(-1) for the 2nd cycle), superior rate capability (397 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 10 A g(-1)) and cyclic stability (1280 mAh g(-1) after 200 cycles). The significant enhancements in electrochemical performance are ascribed to the nanostructure of the composite in which SnO2 nanoparticles of around 3.9 nm were most probably sandwiched between rGO and PANI sheets that are flexible and conductive. Extremely fine SnO2 nanoparticles, high specific surface area, mesoporous structure and good electrical conductivity of the composite resulted in the high capacity and superior rate performance. The nanostructure of rGO/SnO2/PANI can accommodate volume expansion during lithiation of SnO2 and at the same time inhibit particle aggregation during cycling, yielding excellent cyclic stability of the rGO/SnO2/PANI composite. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.