A MoS2 nanoflakelet/graphene hybrid (MoS2/G) is designed and successfully synthesized via a simple and cost-effective strategy. It is found that the MoS2/G hybrids prepared using and without using ethanol (EtOH) show different morphologies and EtOH plays a crucial role in the formation of MoS2 nanoflakelets on graphene. The resulting nanoflakelet-on-sheet structure can be used as a high-performance anode material for lithium ion batteries, because it not only offers plenty of pores and pathways for lithium ions to shuttle back and forth, but also withstands lithium ion intercalation/de-intercalation process without collapse or deformation. The MoS2/G hybrid synthesized in EtOH/H2O exhibits remarkable reversible capacities of 1902 mAh g-1 and 1454 mAhg(-1) in the first discharging and charging cycle, respectively, with a high coulombic efficiency of 76.45%. The hybrid also shows excellent cycle and rate performance. The superior Li storage performance of the MoS2/G hybrid is mainly attributed to the intrinsic properties of MoS2 nanoflakelets and the synergistic effect of the MoS2 nanoflakelets and graphene. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.