Improving cycle performance and rate-capability of lithium ion batteries is necessary in moving toward their use in electric vehicles. Working towards this goal, we propose an amorphous Li-Zr-O coating on the surface of a high-Ni layered transition metal oxide (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2) via a simple wet process. By using residual Li on the surface of as-prepared LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 particles as a Li source, a non-stoichiometric Li-Zr-O compound can be successfully formed on the surface of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 particles at a low temperature of 400 degrees C. The formation of an amorphous Li-Zr-O layer is beneficial in minimizing undesirable side reactions associated with residual Li at the surface and, by extension, improving the cycle performance and rate-capability of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2. The amorphous Li-Zr-O coated LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 exhibits a high reversible capacity of more than 190 mAh g(-1) with improved cycle performance. This simple approach offers easy control of the surface characteristics of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, improving the surface stability and enhancing the thermal stability. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.