Titanium-containing precursor is prepared from the high-titanium residue, which is obtained from the ilmenite by a mechanical activation and leaching process. After two-step alkaline leaching, about 95% of silicon dioxide is separated from the high-titanium residue. The purified titanium-containing precursor is used to synthesize Li4Ti5O12. XRD shows that the synthesized Li4Ti5O12 is cubic spinel phase and well crystallized. At the discharge-charge rate of 0.1C and 0.5C, its discharge capacities are 138.3 and 126.8 mAh/g, respectively. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.