•Flame-synthesized TiO2/carbon composite particles were used for anode materials.•TiO2 and carbon determine capacity retention and discharge capacity, respectively.•Optimal synthesis condition was found regarding capacity and retention of the cells. A flame-synthesized TiO2-based anode material was developed by conducting in-situ composition of TiO2 particles and amorphous carbon particles in a flame. The particle characteristics of the collected composite particles were subsequently examined, and the performances of lithium-ion secondary batteries that used these composite particles as anode materials were measured and evaluated. The aggregates of synthesized and collected particles were confirmed through SEM, EDS, and XRD analysis, revealing a mixture of amorphous carbon particles and TiO2 particles with ranging in size from about 40 to 80 nm. Analysis of the charge/discharge test results on these coin cells indicates that TiO2 and amorphous carbon determine capacity retention and discharge capacity, respectively. Considering both capacity and retention of the cells, optimal flame synthesis conditions were found.