Cuprous oxide-coated graphite was synthesized by a polyol reduction process and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, charge-discharge measurements and cyclic voltammetry. Cu2O exists at the surface of graphite in the form of nanoparticles and nanorods. The coated cuprous oxide layer acts as a protective layer separating graphite from the propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolyte solution, and greatly suppresses PC decomposition and graphite exfoliation in PC-based electrolyte systems. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.