Ti(3+) self-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared via a simple imidazole reduction process and developed as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. Introducing the Ti(3+)-state on TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in superior rate performances that the capacity retention of 88% at 50 C. The enhanced electrochemical performances were attributed to the resulting lower internal resistance and improved electronic conductivity, based on galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses.