Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O-2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries was prepared by mixing metal hydroxide, (Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)(OH)(2), with 6% excess LiOH followed by calcinations. The (Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)(OH)(2) with secondary particle of about 12 mu m was prepared by hydroxide co-precipitation. The tap density of the obtained Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O-2 powder was 2.56 +/- 0.21 gcm(-3). The powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size distribution (PSD) and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling. The XRD pattern of Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O-2 revealed a well ordered hexagonal layered structure with low cation mixing. Secondary particles with size of 13-14 mu m and primary particles with size of about 1 mu m can be identified from the SEM observations. In the voltage range of 2.8-4.3 V, the initial discharge capacity of the Li[Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3]O-2 electrode was 166.6 mAh g(-1), and 96.5% of the initial capacity was retained after 50 charge-discharge cycling. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.