A novel LiFePO4/graphene/carbon composite as a performance-improved cathode material for lithium-ion batteries had been prepared by using an in situ solvothermal method to synthesize LiFePO4/graphene powders as precursors and then followed by a carbon-coating process. The prepared samples of LiFePO4/graphene/carbon was investigated comparatively with LiFePO4/carbon and LiFePO4/graphene composites by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and various electrochemical testing techniques. The results indicated that the co-modification of LiFePO4 with graphene and carbon coating could construct an effective conducting network, which significantly enhanced the electrochemical activity of LiFePO4/carbon based composite. Particularly, the LiFePO4/graphene/carbon composite with a low content of graphene exhibited a high initial discharge capacity of 163.7 mAh g(-1) at 0.1 C and 114 mAh g(-1) at 5 C, as well as an excellent cycling stability. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.