We developed mesoporous and nanostructured TiO2 anodes with very high specific surface, up to more than 500 m(2) g(-1), that show good promise for lithium battery applications. Modifying the surfactant to form a carbon coating inside the pores at low temperature shows better promises than normal carbonization processes, since the high temperature needed is too high and results in the crystal formation and the loss of porosity. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.