Porous Li4Ti5O12 has been synthesized via a simple template method using phenol-formaldehyde resin as template. SEM, TEM, XRD, nitrogen adsorption, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and ac impedance tests are used to characterize the appearance, structure, and electrochemical performance of the samples. The micrometer-scale crystal particles exhibit rough surface, large specific surface area, porous structure, and superior electrochemical performance. The initial discharge specific capacity is 167 mAh g(-1) under 0.2 C discharge rate, when the rate increases to 2.0 C, the capacity still retains to 112 mAh g(-1), exhibiting excellent rate capability. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.