FeAs powders are prepared using iron and arsenic as the reactants by solid state reaction. The electrochemical performances of FeAs materials as the anode for lithium ion batteries are investigated. The FeAs electrode delivers a reversible lithium-insertion capacity of ca. 817 and 424 mAh g(-1) in the cut-off voltage range of 0.01-2.0 V and 0.3-1.2 V, respectively. The latter range ensures a good cycling stability of FeAs electrode. A possible lithiation/delithiation mechanism is proposed according to the HRTEM observation on cycled electrodes. The results show that FeAs is a potential electrode material for lithium ion batteries. Considering the open layered structure characteristic of some superconductors, which is beneficial to the insertion/extraction of lithium ion, they may be the candidate electrodes for lithium ion batteries. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.