Owing to the high theoretical capacity, molybdenum (Mo)-based materials are promising as high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Therefore, Y2(MoO4)3 is investigated as anode candidate for the first time in this work. Moreover, in an attempt to improve ionic diffusivity and capacity retention of Y2(MoO4)3, molybdenum-based Y2(MoO4)3 nanowires are successfully formed by a feasible electrospinning method. And the morphologies of as-prepared sample are observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Herein, the Y2(MoO4)3 nanowires show a remarkable charge specific capacity of 480.1mAhg−1 with 67.1% capacity retention at 100mAg−1 after 100cycles. While the capacity retention of Y2(MoO4)3 micro-particles is only 24.4% under the same conditions. Besides, ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), ex-situ TEM and ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) tests are carried to study lithium storage reaction of Y2(MoO4)3 upon the charge/discharge reactions. The results confirm that the Y2(MoO4)3 undergoes a typical conversion reaction, accompanied by the irreversible particle pulverization of structure.