ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles prepared by a hydrothermal synthesis were evaluated as anode material for Li-ion batteries. XRD measurements showed that a ZnMn2O4 I4 1 /amd tetragonal spinel structure was obtained with crystallite sizes ≤5nm. TEM micrographs showed that particles of about 5nm in diameter were synthesized. Li/ZnMn2O4 half cell battery cycling showed that the nanoparticles, using lithium salt of carboxymethylcellulose as binder, give a high capacity of 430mAhg−1 when cycled 100 times at C/10.