Abstract: A passivity-based sliding mode nonlinear control method is proposed for three-phase voltage-type PWM (pulse width modulation) rectifier to achieve better steady and dynamic control performances. Based on the Euler-Lagrange dynamics model of PWM rectifier, its inherent passivity property is analyzed. From the viewpoint of the system global energy, passivity-based energy shaping and damping injection approach is employed to obtain auxiliary design system. Consequently, the sliding mode current-inner-loop controller and PI (proportional-integral) voltage-outer-loop controller are designed, and especially a quasi-sliding mode control strategy with saturation function is presented to decrease the chattering of control force. The simulation experiment results show that the proposed control method can achieve unity power factor control and DC (direct current) high-speed voltage high-speed regulation of three-phase voltage-type PWM rectifier, and has good rejection ability for AC (alternating current) voltage and DC load disturbances as well as robustness with respect to the parameter perturbation of PWM rectifier.