In this work, the nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) was prepared through the hydrothermal dehydration-condensation reaction (180 degrees C) from the carboxylation carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and guanidine carbonate ionic liquid (IL), which was used as the cathode for lithium thionyl chloride battery (Li/SOCl2) after being loaded on Ketjenblack (KB) carbon. Meanwhile, the physico-chemica properties of N-CNTs catalysts were characterized by SEM, TEM, BET, XPS, etc. The XPS spectra reveal that the N atom is mainly exist as pyridine-N, which may be beneficial to improve the catalytic activity of SOCl2 reduction. And CV analyses indicated that N-CNTs can reduce the over-potential of the reduction potential of SOCl2. Moreover, the Li/SOCl2 battery discharge tests show that the discharge capacity increase significantly to 3543 mAh g(-1) with a higher operating voltage when 5 wt% N-CNTs is doped on KB carbon. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.