Microwave hydrothermal synthesis of high performance tin-graphene nanocomposites for lithium ion batteries

► Sn-GNS were prepared by a microwave hydrothermal synthesis and a one-step H2 reduction. ► Sn nanoparticles are homogenously sandwiched between highly conductive and flexible GNS. ► Altering the ratio between tin and graphene had critical influences on their morphologies. ► Sn-GNS exhibited a high lithium storage capacity of 1407 mAh g−1.