Design and synthesis of high-silicon silicon suboxide nanowires by radio-frequency thermal plasma for high-performance lithium‐ion battery anodes

•Production of SiOx NWs (x = 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2 and 0) by RF-plasma was realized.•SiO0.4 can simultaneously have high capacity, high ICE and high cycle stability.•The interwoven structure composites of carbon-coated SiO0.4 and CNTs was prepared.•SiO0.4/CNTs@C shows the gravimetric/areal capacity of 1993 mAh g−1/4.4 mAh cm−2.•The capacity of 18650-battery raised by 20.6% by adding 5 wt% SiO0.4/CNTs@C.