A new hydrothermal synthesis of spherical Li4Ti5O12 anode material for lithium-ion secondary batteries

► A simple and convenient hydrothermal synthesis method to prepare Li4Ti5O12. ► Several key parameters of hydrothermal synthesis method are concretely investigated. ► Precursor can be heated directly to prepare the Li4Ti5O12 without any treatment. ► High tap density and controllable morphology spherical spinel Li4Ti5O12 materials. ► Spherical spinel Li4Ti5O12 materials show excellent electrochemical performance.