The electrochemical properties of beta -Zn4Sb3 and Zn4Sb3-C-7 as new lithium-ion anode materials were investigated. The reversible capacities of the pure Zn4Sb3 alloy electrode and 100 h milled Zn4Sb3 in the first cycle reached 503 and 566 mA h/g, respectively, but the cycle stability of Zn4Sb3 whether milled or not were obviously bad. It was demonstrated that cycle stability of Zn4Sb3 could be largely improved by milling after mixing with graphite. It was shown that Zr4Sb3-C-7 composite has a lithium-ion extraction capacity of 581 mA h/ g at the first cycle and 402 mA h/g at 10th cycle. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.