LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 was prepared through a solid-state reaction using various Ni precursors. The effect of precursors on the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 was investigated. LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 made from Ni(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O shows the best charge-discharge performance. The reversible capacity of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is about 145 mAh g(-1) and remained 143 mAh g(-1) after 10 cycles at 3.0-5.0V. The XRD results showed that the precursors and the dispersion methods had significant effect on their phase purity. Pure spinel phase can be obtained with high energy ball-milling method and Ni(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O as precursor. Trace amount of NiCl and Li2MnC3 phase were detected in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 with manual-mixture method and using Ni(CH3COO)(2)center dot 6H(2)C, NiO and Ni2O3 as precursors. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.