The present work reports a novel emulsion method for preparation of lithium cobalt oxide based on the micro-precipitation of lithium and cobalt salts in molten stearic acid. The precursors consist of micro-aggregated powders of CoOOH and CH3(CH2)(16)COOLi whose formation depends on the concentration of stearic acid used in the synthesis. The micro-aggregated of CoOOH and CH3(CH2)(16)COOLi when calcined at 800degreesC yielded well-crystalline sub-microns particles of LiCoO2 (R-3m) with a very uniform shape (quasi-hexagonal pellets), a very narrow grain size distribution (d(10) = 0.31, d(50) = 3.14, d(90) = 6.30 mum) and high specific surface area (7.4 m(2) g(-1)). The long life reversible specific capacity of the mp-LiCoO2 composite electrode subsequently made was 110 mAh g(-1) for initial deinsertion 165 mAh g-1. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.