V3O7 center dot H2O@C core-shell structured composites have been successfully synthesized using V3O7 center dot H2O nanobelts as the cores and glucose as the source of carbon in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS). The as-obtained V3O7 center dot H2O@C core-shell materials were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis (EA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectrum. The thickness of the carbon shell can be controlled by the hydrothermal reaction time and the quantity of glucose. The surfactants have great influence on fabricating V3O7 center dot H2O@C core-shell composites, which have been discussed in detail. V3O7@C composites were subsequently obtained through thermal treatment with V3O7 center dot H2O@C. The electrochemical properties of V3O7@C core-shell composites were studied, indicating that the discharge capacity is still 151.2 mAh/g after 45 cycles, which is better than that of pure V3O7 center dot H2O nanobelts. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.