A SnO2 anode material undergoes severe capacity loss, which is mainly associated with cracking/crumbling of the material by the large volume change between the Li x Sn and Sn phases, and the intensive reactions with the electrolyte solution. However, AlPO4 nanoparticle coating showed drastically improved electrochemical properties with decreased surface cracks. The AlPO4-coated SnO2 exhibited a capacity of 781mAh/g, approaching its theoretical capacity at the first cycle, with 44% capacity retention after 15 cycles between 2.5 and 0V at a relatively high C rate of 105mA/g. In contrast, the bare SnO2 showed an initial capacity of 680mAh/g, with only 8% capacity retention after 15 cycles.