Synthesis of nanosheets-assembled lithium titanate hollow microspheres and their application to lithium ion battery anodes

•Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres were prepared by a simple method.•Li4Ti5O12 showed superior electrochemical performance due to the hollow microsphere.•A possible growth mechanism of Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres assembled by nanosheets was further expounded. Hierarchical assembly of hollow microstructures is of great scientificity and practical value. In this paper, a hydrothermal synthesis of Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres assembled by nanosheets is introduced. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image shows that such Li4Ti5O12 microspheres, with sizes of 2μm in diameter, are composed of a hollow inner cavity and thin outer shell assembled by nanosheets. A possible growth mechanism of the structure is further expounded. The Li4Ti5O12 hollow microspheres calcinated at 700°C display extremely good electrochemical performance, including high capacity (147.3mAhg−1 at 3C), excellent cyclic stability (95.0% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 3C) and remarkable rate capability (131.3mAhg−1 at 20C).