A carbon-coated Magnéli phase Ti4O7 composite has been successfully synthesised, via modified carbonthermal reduction of amorphous TiO2, which was prepared from hydrolysis of titanium sulphate and polyvinyl alcohol, at a relatively low temperature and fast reaction rate. Moreover, the effect of heat treatment temperature and time on the reduced phases is revealed. Despite removal of oxide ions, scanning electron microscopic images clearly show the obtained carbon-coated Ti4O7 composite retains well the spherical morphology of the precursor, an...