Facile solvothermal synthesis of anatase TiO2 microspheres with adjustable mesoporosity for the reversible storage of lithium ions

TiO2 microspheres with different morphologies and microstructures were synthesized by a facile solvothermal process. One of the mesoporous microspheres among the synthesized products exhibited high reversible capacity, good rate capability and long cycle life as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The good electrochemical performance for Li+ storage could be attributed to the synergy of coupling ultra-fine anatase nanocrystallites (6–8 nm) to a uniform distribution of mesopores (pore size of 4–8 nm), leading to concurrent improvements in charge transfer kinetics and the transport of lithium ions and electrons in the material.