Synthesis and electrochemical properties of Zn2SiO4 nano/mesorods

•Zn2SiO4 nanorods and mesorods have been prepared by a hydrothermal method.•The nano/mesorods were prepared using amorphous nano silica as silicon source.•Zn2SiO4 nanorods show better discharge capacity and cyclability.

Zn2SiO4 nanorods and mesorods have been successfully prepared on a large scale via a facile hydrothermal route using amorphous nano silica as silicon source. The electrochemical properties of the Zn2SiO4 nanorods and mesorods were systematically investigated and compared with bulk particles. The results showed that the as-prepared Zn2SiO4 nanorods exhibited higher discharge capacity and cyclability than that of the as-prepared mesorods and bulk counterparts because of better contact behavior and shorter diffusion length for Li+, indicating a promising anode candidate for the application in lithium-ion batteries. The present work will greatly expand the range of anode choices and could assist long-term endeavors in developing high capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.