Three new possible Li-ion battery negative electrode materials, ZnO, ZnO:SnO2 ball-milled mixture and Zn2SnO4, were prepared, and tested electrochemically. These new materials have smaller capacities than SnO2, but still show reversible capacities around 500 mA h g(-1). The charge and discharge profiles of all the materials are similar, with potentials close to that of the Li+/Li(m) couple. A large loss of capacity between the initial and the later cycles, is observed similar to the tin oxides, due to the required reduction of the tin and zinc ions to the bulk metal. These materials do show some promise as Li-ion battery anodes due to their large reversible lithium capacity at low potentials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.