Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ultrafine powders were synthesized by hydrothermal method using aqueous TiCl 4 solution and LiOH·H 2 O as raw materials. The prepared particles comprise crystalline spinel-type Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 with the size in the range of 100–400nm without any agglomerate. Electrochemical measurements were then carried out to evaluate the anode performances of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 samples in lithium-ion batteries. The initial discharge capacity is 172.8mAhg −1 at 0.1C and 142.4mAhg −1 at 10C. It maintained its capacitance to as high as 122.2mAhg −1 (87.3% retention) at 10C even after 100cycles, indicating a good rate and cyclic performance. This novel non-organic hydrothermal method presented an economical, facile and green pathway for Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 as anode material in lithium-ion batteries of high power densities.