TiO 2 –B nanowires (20–40nm diameter) may be prepared in high yield by a simple synthetic procedure. Lithium may be intercalated up to Li 0.91 TiO 2 –B corresponding to a capacity of 305mAhg −1 and at a potential of 1.6V versus Li + (1M)/Li. This can be compared with 160mAhg −1 for Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 and 165mAhg −1 for TiO 2 -anatase. Following a small irreversible capacity on the first cycle, capacity retention is excellent corresponding to a fade of <0.1% per cycle at a rate of 50mAg −1 . A capacity of 160mAhg −1 is sustained at a rate of 500mAg −1 in electrodes that were not optimised for rate capability. Results to date indicate that the small irreversible loss of capacity on the first cycle is not associated with a SEI layer.