High-rate capability of columbite CuNb2O6 anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

•Preparing columbite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.•High-rate performance of columbite CuNb2O6 anode materials.•Exploring the lithium storage behavior of CuNb2O6 electrodes. Columbite CuNb2O6 anode materials are prepared at 800–1000 °C through the typical solid-state reaction. CuNb2O6 sintered at 900 °C exhibits not only an exceptional rate capability (still 154.9 mAh·g−1 at the ultra-large current rate of 5 A·g−1) but also outstanding cyclic stability (the capacity retention of 90.3% at 500 mA·g−1 after 1000 cycles). These properties indicate that columbite CuNb2O6 may be a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries.