LiFePO4 is prepared by aqueous precipitation of FePO4 center dot 2H(2)O from FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O and NH4H2PO4 with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent, following carbothermal reduction with carbon as the reducer. Samples were characterized by XRD and SEM. It was showed that pure and homogenous LiFePO4 was successfully obtained below 600 degrees C. The size of the material synthesized at 560 degrees C for 12 h is about 0.1-0.3 mu m. Residual carbon during processing was coated on LiFePO4, resulting in the enhancement of the material's electronic properties. Electrochemical measurements show that the material synthesized at 560 degrees C for 12 h has a best electrochemical performance and its discharge capacity is about 152 mAhg(-1) at 0.1 C rate and 129 mAhg(-1) at 1 C rate with satisfactory capacity retention. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.