Iron oxide nanowires are synthesized and characterized as negative electrode for lithium ion battery. The lithium-conversion reaction of the material is studied by electrochemical techniques as well as by XRD and SEM. Lithium cells based on the electrode material evidence a reversible capacity of about 800 mAh g(-1) and a multiple-step electrochemical process leading to the formation of amorphous compound. Furthermore, SEM analysis of the compound formed by direct lithium atoms deposition on the iron oxide nanowires clearly evidences the change of the electrode morphology upon formation of a lithiated phase. We believe that the data here reported may shed light on the properties of the iron oxide nanowires as high capacity anode for lithium ion battery. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.