The electrochemical behavior of composite anodes prepared either by mixing partially oxidized graphite and Cu powders or by coating the pristine partially oxidized graphite electrodes with few-nanometer-thick Cu layers has been studied by slow-scan-rate cyclic voltammetry (SSCV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles over the temperature range of -30 degrees C to 20 degrees C. The interfacial intercalation/deintercalation kinetics has also been investigated Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The role of the Cu in improving low-temperature performances and kinetics of graphite electrodes is discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.