beta-LiVOPO4 was prepared via a sol-gel method and exploited as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The beta-LiVOPO4 anode material showed a reversible capacity higher than 380 mAh g(-1) during 30 cycles; the coulombic efficiency exceeded 94%. We speculated a conversion reaction mechanism for Li recycle, VPO4 + 3Li(+) + 3e(-) a dagger" V + Li3PO4. The higher discharge capacity and cyclic ability may be due to the large PO4 (3-) ions that can alleviate the change of the cell volume during the charge/discharge processes, and the formation of Li2O during the first discharge process that can buffer the volume change in the electrodes.