The nanocomposites Ce doped SnS2 (CeSnS2) have been synthesized by a hydrothermal route. The CeSnS2 composites exhibit 3D flowerlike structures. The particle sizes of each petal are in the range from 100 to 200nm with clear lattice fringes. The electrode cycling performance and rate retention ability of CeSnS2 are better than those of SnS2 as anode electrodes materials for lithium ion batteries. The CeSnS2 compound (Ce of 5mol%) shows the best reversible capacities and cycling performance among the synthesized CeSnS2 compounds. The reason is that the part of large-radius cerium ions (much larger than that of Sn4+) can be the substitutes for Sn4+ in the SnS2 lattice. The expansion of the crystal lattice can provide more lattice space for lithium intercalation and de-intercalation, and further improves the cycling performance of CeSnS2.