A facile single step solvothermal route has been developed to prepare a composite of Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles and graphene nanosheets. The synthetic protocol takes advantage of the ethylene glycol assisted partial reduction of Fe 3+ species to form Fe 3O 4, the reduction of graphene oxide into graphene, and the preferential attachment of fine Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles onto graphene sheets in one step. No additional reductive agent or calcination step is needed, which favors an effective, operationally simple and low-cost preparation process. The cycling properties of Fe 3O 4/graphene nanocomposite have been evaluated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. The effect of graphene additive ratios on electrochemical performance has been investigated. The results show that the nanocomposite with a moderate graphene content of 18.5 wt% integrates high reversible capacity and good cyclic stability, delivering a capacity of 750 mAh/g after 40 cycles at 50 mA/g.