Li[Li1/5Ni1/10Co1/5Mn1/2]O-2 solid solutions were prepared by four different routes using a solid-state reaction method. All the prepared samples were of a layered manganese oxide structure. The prepared samples were subjected to XRD, Raman and charge-discharge studies. The addition of ethyl alcohol in the starting materials during the synthesis process has exhibited superior electrochemical properties and offered higher discharge capacity than the samples calcinated in the form of pellets without solvent. The added ethyl alcohol not only assists to get a homogeneous mixing of reacting species, but also influences the chemical reaction during the synthesis process. The materials are found to be superior in terms of minimum capacity fading per cycle than the materials so far reported. The other electro-chemical properties like irreversible capacity and discharge capacity of the synthesized materials have also been discussed based on the experimental observations. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.