Well dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles with mean size about 160 nm are synthesized by a simple chemical method at atmosphere pressure. The products are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Raman spectrum. Electrochemical properties of the as-synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles as anode electrodes of lithium ion batteries are studied by conventional charge/discharge tests, showing initial discharge and charge capacities of 1140 mAh g(-1) and 1038 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 0.1 mA cm(-2). The charge and discharge capacities of Fe3O4 electrode decrease along with the increase of cycle number, arriving at minimum values near the 70th cycle. After that, the discharge and charge capacities of Fe3O4 electrode begin to increase along with the increase of cycle number, arriving at 791 and 799 mAh g(-1) after 393 cycles. The morphology and size of the electrode after charge and discharge tests are characterized by SEM, which exhibits a large number of dispersive particles with mean size about 150 nm. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.