Morphology-control synthesis and electrochemical performance of titanate and anatase TiO2

•Ultrathin titanate nanosheets, octahedral and spindle-like TiO2 are successfully prepared.•All the samples demonstrate a stable cycle performance.•Spindle-like TiO2 show a higher discharge capacity than the other two materials.•High proportion of {1 0 0} facets contributes to its better electrochemical performance.

Ultra thin titanate nanosheets, octahedral TiO2 and spindle-like TiO2 were prepared via a facile hydrothermal route. The morphology and structure of the prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical lithium storage of these samples was studied by galvanostatic method and cyclic voltammetry. It is found that the spindle-like TiO2 with exposed {1 0 0} facets show enhanced lithium storage behavior at various current densities as-compared to titanate nanosheets and octahedral TiO2. The origin of good electrochemical performance may result from a lower barrier for surface transmission of Li+ ions through {1 0 0} facets.