Carbon-coated Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 powders have been synthesized with Bakelite and heat process in air. The effect of carbon coating on the physical and electrochemical properties have been discussed through the characterizations of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), discharge and rate tests. The carbon-coated cathode exhibits much improved first discharge capacity and rate capability than the pristine sample. The discharge capacity at 0.1 and 5.0 C rates are 246 and 125 mAhg(-1), while that of pristine are only about 222 and 49 mAhg(-1), respectively. The capacity retention of Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 electrode after 50 cycles is improved from 89.8 to 97.5% after carbon coating. EIS results indicate that R-ct of Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 electrode is decreased from 62 to 37 Omega after carbon coating. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.