Anion species are proved to have a significant influence on orientation, agglomeration and defect control of crystal growth for LiMn0.9Fe0.1PO4 nano-particles prepared by solvothermal synthesis. SO42- is helpful for high dispersity, while Cl- benefits accurate molar ratio control of transition metals in LiMn0.9Fe0.1PO4. Various LiMn0.9Fe0.1PO4 particles, being agglomerative spindles or mono-dispersed uniform nano-flakes, can be obtained by just tuning [Cl-]:[SO42-] ratio, and present dramatically different electrochemical performances. Though the as-prepared samples possess similar reversible capacities around 130 mAh g(-1) at low C-rate, they show very different rate performances depending on morphology of the particles. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.