Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a material including at least one member of the Group 14 by thermal degradation of a ternary phase, also known as the Zintl phase, or by reaction therewith an oxidising solvent. The invention also relates to the material containing at least one element of Group 14 that can be obtained by this method, and to the use thereof mainly in the field of electrochemistry, particularly for batteries. The material is more particularly suited for the field of batteries of the alkaline metal and/or alkaline-earth ions type, in particular of the lithium-ion type.