Hydrothermal synthesis of antimony oxychlorides submicron rods as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries

•Antimony oxychlorides submicron rods are successfully prepared by a simple and facile hydrothermal reaction.•The lithium/sodium-storage performance of antimony oxychlorides as the anode material for lithium-ion batteries or sodium-ion batteries have rarely been reported.•The material presents remarkable cycling performance and outstanding rate capability in lithium-ion batteries.•The material also exhibits superior sodium-storage capabilities in sodium-ion batteries.