Mesoporous carbon/Li4Ti5O12 nanoflakes composite anode material lithiated to 0.01 V

•Composite anode material is fabricated from mesoporous carbon and LTO nanoflakes.•Mesoporous has high capacity but suffers from decreased conductivity.•LTO is used as a conductive active material as it becomes metallic under 1V.•The composite material exhibits electrochemical synergy when lithiated to 0.01V.•The composite material shows increased capacity, rate capability, and cycle life.