K2Ti8O17 nanowires have been synthesized in large scale using one-step hydrothermal reaction between pure Ti and KOH solution. When using Ti-plate, centimeter sized porous block was produced. This block has layered structure composed of nanowires. The nanowires were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy and image simulations. LTV-absorption study showed that these nanowires are wide-band semiconductors with a band gap E-g similar to 3.34 eV. The nanowires exhibited reversible electrochemical Li-intercalation/ extraction behaviors, making a good candidate as anode materials for future high-performance lithium ion batteries. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.