This paper demonstrates a low temperature solvothermal method for the synthesis of a layered spheric TiO2. The crystal structure and morphology of the material were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron miscopy (SEM). Electrochemical performances of the TiO2 when used as anode material in lithium ion batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetry experiments. A discharge capacity of 179 m Ah g(-1) was obtained in the potential range between 3.0 and 1.5 V. No significant capacity decay was observed in the successive 30 cycles showing satisfactory cycling performance of the electrode. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.