Spinel　Li2ZnTi3O8　nanorods　were　first　synthesized　using　titanate　nanowires　as　a　precursor.　The　synthesized　nanorods　are　highly　crystalline　and　used　as　an　anode　material　in　a　rechargeable　Li-ion　battery.　A　large　capacity　of　220　mA　h　g-　1　was　kept　after　30　cycles　at　a　current　density　of　0.1　A　g-　1,　which　is　close　to　the　theoretic　capacity.　The　electrochemical　measurements　indicate　that　the　anode　material　made　of　spinel　Li2ZnTi3O8　nanorods　displayed　a　highly　reversible　capacity　and　excellent　cycling　stability.　©　2010　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.