The electrochemical properties of rutile-type TixSn1-xO2 solid solutions (x = 0-1.0) as an anode for a lithium-ion battery were investigated using nanosized crystals prepared by an aqueous solution process. The reduction of the crystal size to nanoscale allowed a smooth lithium insertion into the rutile framework at room temperature. The lithium-insertion behavior of TiO2, SnO2, and the solid solutions was evaluated without any structural change of the rutile-type crystal structure in the potential range of 1.2-3.5 V (versus Li/Li+). The intersitial space for lithium ions were found to be derived from the crystal structure of the rutile framework and independent of the metal species. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.