For the first time, LiCoO2 materials were synthesized at a very low temperature, below 100° C. The influence of synthesis parameters, such as temperature and time of reaction, on the structure and conductivity of the material was investigated. It was shown that these materials contain structural defects, such as stacking faults and lithium vacancies, which lead to a good electronic conductivity of these materials as compared to classical high-temperature materials. The time and temperature of reaction decrease the amounts of stacking faults in the materials. However, lithium intercalation can occur during a long-time synthesis, leading to a decrease in conductivity of the material. If process parameters are conveniently chosen, a LiCoO2 material with a conductivity of around 10(-1) S cm(-1) can be obtained and used with success as a conductive additive in positive electrodes of alkaline batteries. The major advantage of this new additive is that LiCoO2 prevents the loss of capacity of alkaline cells at low voltage, in the whole potential window of the positive electrode in alkaline batteries. © 2005 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.