Using stable TiO2 and flexible carbon as double-functional structure protector of nanostructural SnO2 to fabricate TiO2/SnO2/C composites is widely considered as a favorable strategy for improving the lithium storage performance of SnO2 anodes. But, it is still a challenge to obtain a satisfying TiO2/SnO2/C composite. Herein, an interesting porous nanostructure of TiO2/SnO2/C nanosphere composite assembled by TiO2 and SnO2 nanocrystals with an outer carbon coating has been fabricated by a well-designed approach. Thanks to the perfectly combined action of porous spherical nanostructure, TiO2 and SnO2 nanocrystals and carbon coating, the as-prepared composite obtains excellent structure stability and improved electrochemcial properties. When used as a promising anode for lithium-ion batteres, it exhibits outstanding lithium storage performance, delivering a high capacity of 687.2 mAh g(-1) after even 400 cycles. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.