Fine powders of LiCoO2 were successfully synthesized through an emulsion drying method. The oxide powders were characterized by thermogravimetric-differential thermal analyses, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis and electrochemical method including charge-discharge cycling. By post-annealing the powders obtained by the emulsion drying method in the temperature range 600 similar to 900 degrees C, we obtained LiCoO2 powder which has a layer structure (R (3) over bar m) and consists of fine particles with submicrometre order in diameter. The charge-discharge characteristics as a cathode for lithium ion battery depended on the post-annealing temperature. LiCoO2 powder made by the emulsion drying method displays a good electrochemical performance, suggesting that this soft chemistry approach has the potential to synthesize a high quality electrode material.