Spinel　structural　Li2MTi3O8　(M　=　Mg,　Mg0.5Zn0.5)　nanowires　have　been　successfully　synthesized　using　titanate　nanowires　as　a　precursor　and　then　have　been　used　for　the　first　time　as　anode　materials　in　a　rechargeable　Li-ion　battery.　The　cell　composed　of　Li2MgTi3O8　nanowires　exhibited　a　discharge　capacity　of　232　mAhg-1　at　the　second　cycle,　while　only　159　mAhg　-1　was　obtained　for　the　bulk　prepared　by　a　solid　state　reaction.　The　results　of　electrochemical　impedance　spectra　indicate　that　spinel　structural　Li2MTi3O8　(M　=　Mg,　Mg0.5Zn　0.5)　nanowires　can　significantly　reduce　the　charge　transfer　impedance,　leading　to　enhanced　capability　of　electrochemical　lithium　storage.　©　2011　World　Scientific　Publishing　Company.