Li1.95FeSiO4/C/CNTs, Li2FeSiO4/C/CNTs and Li1.95FeSiO4/C composites were successfully prepared by the means of solid-state reaction in the present work. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), charge-discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectra measurement were used to characterize the above samples and their differences were comparatively discussed. It was found that the Li1.95FeSiO4/C/CNTs composite delivered the best electrochemical performance in terms of the discharge capacity, cycling stability and rate capability among the above three samples. It exhibited a discharge capacity of 148 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 C and 104 mAh g(-1) at 5 C, respectively, and after 100 cycles at 1 C, 99.2% of its initial capacity was retained. EIS result showed that electrochemical resistance of the Li1.95FeSiO4/C/CNTs electrode was obviously decreased, revealing much faster kinetics in comparison with the Li2FeSiO4/C/CNTs and Li1.95FeSiO4/C electrodes. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.