Cr2O3 is a promising anode material for Li-ion batteries due to its relative low emf value, high Li-storage capacity and low cost. However, pristine Cr2O3 powder shows poor electrochemical performance due to its low electrical conductivity and large volume change during cycling. Several strategies are applied for its improvement, including constructing nanostructure, hetero-atom doping and preparing of carbon/Cr2O3 composite with different structures. Carbon coating is very effective for improving cyclic performance. The mechanism is discussed here. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.