Synthesis of shuttle-like anatase TiO2 mesocrystals

• We firstly prepare uniform shuttle-like mesoporous anatase TiO2 mesocrystals.
• The influence of reaction conditions on TiO2 shuttles has been investigated.
• The TiO2 mesocrystals are successfully used as anode materials for Li-ion battery.

Uniform submicron-sized shuttle-like mesoporous TiO2 mesocrystals, composed of nanorods with stable structure and tunable sizes, are prepared in a tetrabutyl titanate (TBT)-methanol system without any additives via a solvothermal process and a subsequent heat treatment. Furthermore, the influence of reaction conditions on synthesis of TiO2 shuttles has been investigated. The TiO2 mesocrystals are successfully employed as anode electrode materials for Li-ion battery and exhibit a constant value of ~110 mA h g−1 discharge capacity over 1000 cycles at 1 C (170 mA g−1).