Titanium dioxide mixed phases containing TiO2(b) and anatase phase in different ratios were prepared via a facile, template free, low temperature hydrothermal synthesis. Morphology and phase composition were tuned by adequately adjusting the main synthesis parameters, i.e., temperature, powder/liquid ratio and basicity of the mother solution. The effect of different phase compositions on the lithium insertion and de-insertion properties was tested by electrochemical cycling at increasing cycling rates. Results indicate a superiority of monoclinic TiO2(b) phase over the tetragonal anatase phase especially at elevated cycling rates. Further analysis shows that internal resistance is one of the major limitations for electrochemical cycling of anatase. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.