Pure CoO and Co3O4 surface-modified LiNiPO4 nanoscale powders are successfully synthesized for the first time by newly elaborated hard-template and solvothermal methods. Using this extraordinary technique, LiNiPO4 particles are coated with a thin CoO or Co3O4 layer with a perfect core-shell morphology. The technique's positive contribution to electrochemistry is investigated in detail. The HR-TEM analysis proves that it possible to achieve a continuous surface coverage of about 5 nm, a result that contributes towards solving the chronic electrochemical problems of high-voltage cathode material. Our data reveal that cobalt cannot be diffused into the LiNiPO4 crystal system during the calcination process and that the LiNiPO4@CoO cathode demonstrates superior cycle stability and specific capacity at relatively low rates. The LiNiPO4@CoO cathode exhibits the best electrochemical properties, achieving a discharge capacity of 149 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C rate, and shows almost 82% capacity retention after 80 charge-discharge cycles. It therefore achieves partial success in terms of improving the electrochemical properties of the LiNiPO4 cathode material. This is especially crucial for energy storage with regard to electric vehicles and plugin hybrid electric applications. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.