The Cu-5(VO4)(2)(OH)(4)center dot H2O nanobelts with widths of 100 nm, thicknesses of 50 nm, and lengths up to about 500 nm have been successfully prepared on a large scale via a hydrothermal technique. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the as-prepared Cu-5(VO4)(2)(OH)(4)center dot H2O nanobelts exhibited higher specific capacity (534.8 mAh g(-1) at 50 mA g(-1)), high Coulombic efficiency, and good cycle stability, indicating a promising anode candidate for the application in lithium-ion batteries. Significantly, this is the first report on the Cu-5(VO4)(2)(OH)(4)center dot H2O as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries, and the present work will greatly expand the range of anode choices in lithium-ion batteries. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.