Hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) has been employed as an economically scalable method for the deposition of crystalline molybdenum oxide nanoparticles at high density. Under optimal synthesis conditions, only crystalline nanostructures with a smallest dimension of similar to 3-50 nm are observed with extensive transmission electron microscopy analyses. The incorporation of crystalline molybdenum oxide nanoparticles into battery electrodes has led to profound advancements in state-of-the-art negative electrodes (anodes) in lithium-ion batteries. The nanoparticle materials exhibit a high rate capability as anticipated for the reduced solid-state Li-ion diffusion length. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.