Graphene was produced via a soft chemistry synthetic route for lithium ion battery applications. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The electrochemical performances of graphene as anode material were measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. The experimental results showed that the graphene possessed a thin wrinkled paper-like morphology and large specific surface area (342 m2g1). The first reversible specific capacity of the graphene was as high as 905 mAhg1 at a current density of 100 mAg1. Even at a high current density of 1000 or 2000 mAg1, the graphene maintained good cycling stability, indicating that it is a promising anode material for high-performance lithium ion batteries. Graphene was produced via a soft chemistry synthetic route for lithium ion battery applications. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The electrochemical performances of graphene as anode material were measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge / discharge cycling. The experimental results showed the graphene possessed a thin wrinkled paper-like morphology and large specific surface area (342 m2g1). The first reversible specific capacity of the graphene was as high as 905 Even at a high current density of 1000 or 2000 mAg1, the graphene maintained good cycling stability, indicating that it is a promising anode material for high-performance lithium ion batteries.