TiO2(B)@SnO2　core-shell　hybrid　nanowires　have　been　synthesized　by　a　facile　hydrothermal　process　and　subsequent　liquid　phase　reaction.　Hybrid　nanowire　electrodes　exhibit　excellent　reversible　lithium　storage　capacity　rate　capability　and　good　cyclability,　mainly　due　to　the　particular　architecture　of　the　composite,　which　features　an　open　continuous　channel　along　its　axis,　facilitating　lithium　ion　diffusion,　and　provides　effective　mechanical　support　for　the　TiO2(B)　core,　alleviating　the　stress　produced　during　discharge-charge　cycling　and　also　preventing　the　pulverization　of　the　Sn　nanoparticles.　Owing　to　its　superior　electrochemical　performance,　this　composite　could　be　a　promising　potential　anode　material　for　lithium　ion　batteries.　©　2011　The　Royal　Society　of　Chemistry.