The possibility of the application of B-C-N and C-B-Si-N carbon alloys as anode materials for Li-ion batteries is discussed. The structure, composition, and the electrochemical behavior of these materials are presented. B-C-N samples prepared by the high-pressure self-combustion sintering technique are found to be a mixture of hexagonal BN and partly crystallized "BCN" compounds. Li-ions can be intercalated into the structure electrochemically with a maximum reversible capacity of about 120 mAh/g. For a C-B-Si-N carbon alloy, a reversible capacity of 500 mAh/g can be obtained at a low current rate, which is higher than that of the pure carbon pitch heated at the same temperature. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.