A zinc-based one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer ([Zn-(H(2)mpca)(2)(tfbdc)(H2O)], Zn-ODCP) has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and physicochemical methods, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (H(2)mpca = 3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid; H(2)tfbdc = 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalic acid). Zn-ODCP shows blue luminescence in the solid state. When Zn-ODCP acts as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, it exhibits a good cyclic stability and a higher reversible capacity of 300 mAh g(-1) at 5O mA g(-1) after 50 cycles. The higher capacity may be mainly ascribed to the metal ion and ligand all taking part in lithium storage. Searching for electrode materials of lithium ion batteries from 1D metal coordination polymers is a new route.