In this paper, a novel lithium storage materials PbOHCl was prepared by a hydrothermal method by using Pb(NO3)(2), NaCl and NH3 center dot H2O as the starting materials. The resulting PbOHCl powers are micro-structured irregular particles with the sizes in the range of 0.1-2.0 mu m. The space group of PbOHCl is Pnam with the lattice parameters of a=7.107, b=9.712 and c=4.057 angstrom. Electrochemical results and ex situ physical characterization techniques show that the reactions of PbOHCl with Li are associated with the formation of LiyPb (0 <= y <= 4.4), LiOH and LiCl. In the reverse process, the charged products are Pb(OH)(2) and PbCl2. Charge/discharge results show that the discharge and charge capacities of PbOHCI are 1340 and 755 mAh g(-1), respectively. It suggests that PbOHCl may be a promising high capacity anode material for lithium-ion batteries. After 20 cycles, a reversible capacity of 329 mAh g(-1) can be delivered. The capacity retention is approximate 43.5%. To improve the cycling properties, the low cutoff potential is increased to 0.3 V for suppressing the particle pulverization during repeated cycles. However, the electrochemical results cannot reach the expected standards in the potential range of 0.3-3.0 V. Impedance analysis shows that the charge-transfer and electrolyte resistances of PbOHCl electrode increase not only during the initial charge/discharge process but also during the subsequent repeated cycles. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.