Brannerite-type crystalline powders of anhydrous manganese vanadate were successfully precipitated by mixing V2O5 with Mn(CH3COO)(2) powders in water medium at 95 degrees C for more than 72 h under refluxing. The precipitates obtained showed strong 110 diffraction line in X-ray powder pattern and consisted of rod-like particles. Charge and discharge capacities of this anhydrous manganese vanadate increased gradually with cycling, though the first cycle gave relatively low discharge capacity and low columbic efficiency. Beyond 25th cycles, both charge and discharge capacities reached more than 600 mAh/g and about 100% columbic efficiency. Particle morphology and anodic performance of the powders obtained under refluxing are similar to those of the powders synthesized under hydrothermal condition. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.