Porous TiNb2O7 nanospheres comprised of nanoparticles have been synthesized with the assistance of block copolymer P123 (EO20PO70EO20). Such porous TiNb2O7 nanospheres, with diameter of 500 nm, exhibit a BET surface area of 23.4 m(2)/g and pore volume of 0.155 cm(3)/g. As the anodes for lithium-ion batteries, the TiNb2O7 nanospheres present a reversible capacity of 160 mA h/g after 10000 cycles at 5 C with a capacity loss of only 0.0033% per cycle, and good rate performance of 167 mA h/g at 50 C. Furthermore, the TiNb2O7 materials still maintain the morphology of nanospheres and the porous structure even after 10000 cycles. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.