High irreversible capacities in the first cycle hinder potential applications of SnO and ultrafine SnSb0.14 hosts as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. This deterrent can be overcome by introducing lithium transition metal nitrides such as Li2.6Co0.4N into the electrodes based on the above hosts. Li-rich Li2.6Co0.4N offers an additional lithium source for the electrode and can completely compensate the first irreversible capacity. Thr first cycle efficiency is adjustable by controlling the ratio of Li2.6Co0.4N to another host (SnSb0.14 or SnO) in the electrode. The tin-containing hosts are compatible with Li2.6Co0.4N in an electrolyte of 1 hi LiClO4/ethylene carbonate-diethyl carbonate (EC+DEC) (1:1). Owing to a small volume change of the Li2.6Co0.4N structure, its dispersion in a SnSb0.14 host can also buffer the electrode volume effect and, thereby, improve the cyclability.