Inverse spinel structure Zn2SnO4 crystals were prepared by a solid state reaction using Zn(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, SnCl4 center dot 5H(2)O, and NaOH as the raw materials. The structures and morphologies of Zn2SnO4 powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical lithium-ion-insertion properties of Zn2SnO4 were investigated by galvanostatic cycling and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. Galvanostatic cycling shows 2054 mAh g(-1) of initial discharge capacity and 1025 mAh g(-1) of initial charge capacity. After 50 cycles, the specific charge capacity remains 689 mAh g(-1) with a coulombic efficiency of approximately 98.8%, indicating excellent cycling stability and reversibility of this material. As one of the highlights in this article, the exciting electrochemical properties of Zn2SnO4 prepared by our method are much better than those have been reported by previous researchers. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.