The main purpose of this invention is to develop alternative lithium-ion battery anodes based on amorphous silicon nanowires (SiNW) and nanorods. Silicon has one of the highest specific capacities (4,200 mAh/g) for anode materials, but it cannot be practically used because of the high volume change associated with lithium intercalation. Amorphous silicon nanostructures have the potential for a higher capacity when compared to carbon anodes, while demonstrating satisfactory cyclability and life because of improved mechanical and structural stability during charge and discharge. The amorphous silicon nanorods developed in this invention are expected to achieve a specific capacity greater than 600 mAh/g and a cyclability of more than 500 cycles with less than 20 percent degradation. The Vapor Induced Solid-Liquid-Solid (VI-SLS) approach has been developed to prepare nanowires. Conventional Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) approach used vapor phase precursor to grow nanowires. Solid-Liquid-Solid (SLS) approach used solid precursor to grow nanowires. VI-SLS approach is a combination of VLS process (where nanowires grown from vapor source) and SLS process (where nanowire grown from solid source). VI-SLS approach requires presence of both vapor source and solid source. It is much more versatile and is suitable to be used to grow nanowires with multiple elements. In this approach, one or more external components from input gas (such as oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, or silicon etc.) are used to induce nanowire growth from a solid source.