Preparation of Ramsdellite-type Li2Ti3O7 hollow microspheres with high tap density by flame melting method as anode of Li-ion battery

•This paper provides a novel method for preparing Ramsdellite-type Li2Ti3O7.•Li2Ti3O7 hollow microspheres are first prepared by the flame melting method.•The powders with a radius in the range of 50-100 μm and a shell thickness of about 10 μm.•The powders have a high tap density of 1.25 g cm−3.•The discharge capacity of the Li2Ti3O7 reached 212.1 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C.•Capacity retention rate is 94.6% at 1 C after 500 cycles.