Multi-walled　carbon　nanotubes　(MWCNTs)　coated　with　a　smooth　and　uniform　tin　oxide　(SnO2)　layers　of　different　thickness　were　prepared　by　a　novel　thioglycolic　acid　assisted　one-step　wet　chemical　method.　The　coatings　were　characterized　by　powder　X-ray　diffraction　(XRD)　and　transmission　electron　microscopy　(TEM).　The　thickness　of　the　SnO2　coatings　can　be　easily　controlled　by　changing　the　synthesis　conditions,　such　as　pH　value　of　the　solution　and　hydrolysis　time.　The　electrochemical　properties　of　the　SnO2/MWCNTs　composites　as　anode　materials　for　lithium　batteries　were　studied　by　galvanostatic　method.　The　composites　showed　high　charge　capacities　and　good　durability　against　decay.　This　could　be　ascribed　to　the　good　dispersion,　thin　layer　and　small　particle　size　of　SnO2　on　MWCNTs.　(c)　2008　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.