MoO2　nanosheets　were　synthesized　for　the　first　time　by　a　solvothermal　route　using　an　ionic　liquid　in　the　reaction　system.　The　synthesized　nanocomposites　were　characterized　by　XRD,　FTIR,　SEM,　and　TEM　measurements.　It　was　found　that　the　ionic　liquid　composed　of　ethylene　glycol　and　choline　chloride　(ChCl)　acted　as　a　solvent　and　a　reactive　reagent　during　the　reaction　process.　Based　on　a　series　of　experimental　results,　the　formation　mechanism　of　nanosheets　was　also　discussed.　Furthermore,　MoO2　nanosheets　were　used　as　anode　materials　for　Li-ion　intercalation　and　exhibited　large　reversible　capacity,　high　rate　performance　and　good　cycling　stability.　For　instance,　a　high　reversible　capacity　of　620　mA　h　g(-1)　can　be　remained　after　20　cycles　at　100　mA　g(-1).　This　might　be　contributed　to　the　intrinsic　characteristics　of　MoO2　nanosheets,　which　offered　a　shorter　path　for　Li+　and　electron　transport,　leading　to　the　improved　capacity　and　enhanced　rate　capability.　(C)　2013　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.