A composite powder of Li4Ti5O12 and carbon (LTO/C) was synthesized by spray pyrolysis using an aqueous solution of Li and Ti with an organic acid. As-prepared LTO/C particles had spherical morphology and nonaggregation characteristics. They also had a particle size of approximately 1 mu m with a broad size distribution. As-prepared LTO/C powders were crystallized to have a spinel structure. The addition of lactic acid was most effective for improving the electrochemical properties of LTO/C. The rechargeable capacity of the LTO/C anode obtained from lactic acid was 164 mAh/g at 1 C. The retention was 96% after 100 cycles at 1 C. The rechargeable capacity of the LTO/C anode decreased with an increasing charge rate. The rechargeable capacity of LTO/C obtained from lactic acid was 150 mAh/g at 10 C. The cycle performance of the LTO/C anode obtained from lactic acid also had a high stability at 50 degrees C. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.